Stone Kiss

34

Everything was stacked against them. The van was straining at thirty, bouncing on a compromised set of tires, each bump and grind sending shock waves up their spines. On top of that, the road was oil slicked, and it was as dark as sin outside. So Jonathan wasn’t sure if it was the right way. He summed up the situation perfectly.

“This was a terrible idea.” The van landed with a thud as it took a jump over a pothole. The engine stalled for a moment, then continued to chug along. “I just want to reach Chaim before the police. Maybe less chance of his getting hurt.”

“If he doesn’t hurt us first.”

“Akiva, I asked you no less than a dozen times if you wanted to turn back-”

“I know you have. I’m conflicted.”

“So am I.” Jonathan gripped the wheel. “I want to help Chaim. He’s my wife’s brother. The family has been through hell. I’ve been through hell. But I don’t want to get killed.”

“Succinctly put.” Decker tightened his coat around his body.

“Do you want to go back?” Jonathan asked him. “Your call.”

“Now there’s a switch. The rabbi daring the cop.”

“Not strange at all. Haven’t you read the Kemelman series?”

Decker smiled. The rain had abated to sprinkles, leaving the asphalt as shiny as polished onyx. Because one of the biker’s bullets had knocked out the heating fan, the windows were kept open to prevent the windshield from fogging up. Arctic cold, but at least Jonathan could see. Since the windows were rolled down, Decker could hear the strong whoosh of water roiling downstream as it cut deep ruts into the roadside mud.

To Decker, New York had always been synonymous with Manhattan. But the state was big and wide and full of open space. Long stretches of glens and valleys sided rolling mountains and dense forest. Because it was dark, the terrain showed only shapes and shadows, but occasionally he could make out a New England clapboard house lit from the inside, or even a small brick structure that sat on the edge of the highway. Once he saw a barn illuminated by several exterior lights, in front of it a hand-painted sign boasting antiques as well as fresh farm products. He could see the mist falling in the light’s beam, the sign streaked with water. In the background, he caught glimpses of fields, but nothing appeared to be growing.

Jonathan caught his brother staring out the window. “It’s New York’s Corn Belt.”

“I didn’t realize it was so rural.”

“Very rural. You should feel right at home.”

Decker laid on the accent. “Yeah, that there city is too durn big for my blood.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I’m teasing. Mellow out.”

“I’m edgy.” Jonathan clutched the steering wheel with his gloved hands, shivering as he drove. “I’ve never been shot at.”

“No one’s shooting at us now.”

“Baruch Hashem,” Jonathan intoned as he thanked God.

“Good thing, too, with only one bullet.” Decker held the snub-nose. “That’s all right. Guns can give you a false sense of security. Lack of ammo will make us think.”

“Any new theories?”

“No, I’m not holding back. Want me to drive for a little, Jon?”

“No, I’ll do it because at least I have some idea of where I’m going.”

Decker tried the cell again. Whereas before he got a momentary dial tone, this time he got nothing.

“The farther upstate, the less likely we are to get a connection,” Jonathan said.

“How far away are we in terms of time?”

“I’d say maybe twenty minutes.”

“How’s the gas gauge?”

“Steady. He didn’t hit the tank. And I filled up right when I got into Quinton. Gas isn’t the problem. We finished those bagels pretty quickly. Are you still hungry?”

Decker was stunned. “You have food?”

“Raisie packed me Danish before I left shiva. She figured that maybe I could use a nosh.”

“She figured right.”

“It’s all the way in the back.”

Decker unbuckled his belt. “Don’t get into an accident.”

“As long as no one snipes at us, that won’t be a problem.”

Climbing over the backseat, Decker went headfirst into the back of the van and extracted a large paper grocery bag. Sitting in the backseat, he pulled out an aluminum-wrapped bundle. Inside were a dozen assorted Danish. There were also several cans of Diet Coke, as if the sugar lacking in the soda compensated for the pounds of sugar in the baked goods. Using contortion and great skill, he wedged himself back into the front passenger’s seat. “I’ve got cheese, apple, chocolate, cherry… what is this?” He smelled it. “I think it’s mun-”

“Cheese.”

Decker handed him a pastry. He chose an apple turnover and downed it in three bites. “Should I pop the top on this soda can for you? This vehicle certainly has enough cup holders.”

“Please.”

He opened two cans of Diet Coke. “Your wife is very smart.”

“All Jewish women are smart when it comes to food.”

“Yeah, I can see Rina doing something like that.”

“Did you talk to her today?”

“Just in the morning. She’s probably worried about me. Turns out for good reason.”

They rode in contemplative quiet, Decker trying to figure out Chaim’s role in what appeared to be a sophisticated ecstasy ring. Mastermind? Unwitting abettor? Dupe?

“There it is,” Jonathan told him.

“I don’t see anything.”

“The turnoff. We’re about ten minutes away.”

As they drove, Decker felt a prickling on the back of his neck. Over the years, he had learned not to ignore intuitive pulses.

“Almost there,” Jonathan told him.

Jittery, Decker swept his eyes across the terrain. First he studied what was directly in front of him, then to the right, glancing at the side mirror. He turned around and scanned over his shoulder, along with a check in the rearview mirror, then left for the side mirror.

“We should be right on top of it,” Jonathan announced.

Off the roadway, Decker spotted several glints of chrome, but there were no lights up ahead. “Jon, pull over and stop.”

“What? Why?” But Jonathan followed instructions, rolling the van over a mud-coated field. “What’s wrong now?”

“Does Chaim’s warehouse have a parking lot?”

“Of course.”

“So why are these vehicles parked here, in a muddy field?” Decker pointed to a Jeep Cherokee and a Mitsubishi Montero.

“Maybe the lot was flooded.”

“Why don’t I think that’s the case?” Decker reached into the middle section of the van and dragged over the bags of clothing resting on the seats. There was a rain slicker for him and one for his brother. Then came the gloves. Lastly, he placed plastic bags around his shoes and tied them over his ankles, instructing Jonathan to do the same. When they were finished, he took the flashlight and opened the door. Not anxious to fall, he took his time getting over to the Cherokee. He tried the door, but it was locked. He shone the light through the side windows, his eyes meticulously observing what was inside.

Jonathan had caught up with him. “Anything interesting?”

“Young person’s car… at least the taste in music is young-my son’s age. I can tell by the CD covers on the floor.” Another pass of the beam through the interior. “Pills on the seat. See how they’re stamped-the hearts, that one with a ’toon on it? It’s ecstasy. Trash on the floor-beer bottles, cigarette butts…” He looked at his brother. “A couple of Quinton kids got arrested for bad behavior with ecstasy down in Miami-Philip Caldwell and Ryan Anderson. Betcha this baby belongs to one of them.”

He went over to the Montero and peered inside.

“Neat. This belongs to a different animal. A Dwight Yoakam CD cover… a pack of Camels… nothing much else.” He checked out the rear bumper. “A D.A.R.E. to Keep Kids off Drugs sticker. Well, well, well. We definitely know who we’re working with.”

“Merrin.”

“Someone in law enforcement.”

“Ironic,” Jonathan said. “I mean… if you think he’s selling ecstasy. And he has the sticker…”

“If I were back home, I could call in the plates. If I were back home, I could also call for backup.” Decker turned to his brother. “But I’m not back home. We should leave. If Chaim’s a willing partner in this, why should I risk my life to save him?”

“And what if he isn’t a willing partner?”

“Then he’s probably dead.”

“Or being questioned… questioned roughly…” The rabbi shuddered. “My wife lost one brother… I’d hate to think that we’ve come this far only to leave another one behind. But you know better.”

No one spoke.

Decker finally said, “Show me the warehouse.”

Jonathan took the flashlight and they walked toward the destination. Neither spoke as muck squished under their shoes. Five minutes later, the giant barn became visible because light was coming from a lower window. It was typical in structure-a large parabolic shape that peaked in a roof gable-but someone had modified it for its use as a warehouse. The great door and apron, traditionally used as a passageway to let the animals in and out, had been replaced by a set of double doors that led out to a concrete driveway and loading dock. On either side of the doors were windows stacked three stories high, the lower right window being the illuminated one. Above the great door should have been the sliding doors, but they had been boarded up. The hay doors on the upper level looked to be intact.

The rain was starting to pick up. Neither man appeared to notice.

“What does it look like inside?” Decker asked him.

“Shelves filled with boxes.”

“More than one level?”

Jonathan tried to re-create a mental image. Both he and Decker were whispering. “Most of it is on one level with very high shelving. Wide aisles because the guys use a forklift to bring the merchandise up and down. But there is a second level with shelves as well. It’s an open loft, I believe.”

“Probably the original hayloft.”

“I suppose. Should we call the State Police for help?”

“I can’t get a line out. Even if I could, I’m sure Merrin or one of his cohorts has a multiband radio that picks up cellular calls.” Ideas turned over in Decker’s brain. “Do you know what room corresponds to that lit window?”

“Haven’t a clue. But it’s not near the entrance I was talking about.” Jonathan stared at the barn. “That door is on the left side. Right below an outside spiral staircase.”

Each one waited for the other to act. Then Jonathan made a decision, moving toward the structure. “I want to do everything I can.”

Decker followed. “If you can say that after what happened in the van, you’re dedicated.”

“Or stupid.”

“Sometimes it’s one and the same.”

The rain was falling at a steady clip, blocking out the noise made by their shoes trampling over brush. Decker tightened the hood on his waterproof jacket. His hands were encased in nylon gloves. By the time they reached the door, it was pouring. They ducked under an awning as the rain beat tom-toms on the cloth. Decker reached for the door-locked of course. He pointed the flashlight’s beam between the metal escutcheon and the doorframe.

“It’s a latch bolt,” Decker said.

“Which means?”

“I can probably open it with a credit card. The point is… do I want to do it?”

“You may only have one bullet,” Jonathan told him. “But they don’t know that. Besides, the lit window is on the opposite side.”

“Someone may be guarding the doors. He’ll hear me as soon as I try to spring the latch.” A long hesitation. “Well, there’s a quick way to find out.”

Shoving Jonathan against the wall, Decker covered his brother’s body with his, then quietly tapped the door.

Nothing.

Another gentle rap failed to produce any response.

“Take off the plastic from your shoes.” Decker was doing the same thing. “It makes too much noise.” After the plastic bags had been removed, he handed Jonathan the gun. “Cover me.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Do you see anyone else around?” Decker took out the credit card and gently maneuvered it between the bolt and the catch. A moment later, the doorknob rotated without any hindrance. “I’ve got it. Kill the light. Let’s hope the alarm doesn’t trip.”

Jonathan turned off the flashlight. Decker began to turn the knob… millimeters at a time. Finally, he pushed on the handle and the door crept inward.

Slowly… slowly… slowly.

The door freed itself from the frame.

Nothing sounded.

“The alarm’s off,” Decker told his brother.

“Is that good or bad?”

“Don’t know, but it’s a safe bet that Chaim’s inside.”

Slowly, slowly, slowly, Decker pushed the door inward.

Inch after inch.

A quarter of the way open.

Then halfway.

When there was enough room for them to squeeze through, Decker grabbed his brother, pulled him inside, and silently closed the door.

Darkness was the welcome mat. Even after his eyes adjusted, Decker couldn’t make out anything distinct. The interior was a vast space of specters and phantoms, of giant shadows and black holes. Rain slithered down the tall windows, dripping like open veins of black blood. A flash of lightning from afar, a clap of distant thunder. Neither man moved or spoke. A few moments passed; then Decker heard blurred background noises-a hint of human speech. It was hard to tell because of the clacking of the rain.

He took several steps in the direction of the sounds. An unwanted smell reached Decker’s nose at the same time his sneaker caught on something, pitching his body forward. He barely recovered without making noise. He looked down, then bent down to study the solid object at his feet.

The corpse was fresh. Decker studied the face and decided he had never seen it before. But everything about him said cop: the way he dressed, the type of haircut, the furrows in the face, the roughened hands and fingernails, even his gut. He appeared to be in his forties.

“Someone took care of the guard for us.” Decker stood up. “Let’s get out of here.”

Jonathan nodded quickly.

If timing was everything, theirs was exquisitely off. As soon as Decker turned, he saw him. Jonathan saw him, too, judging by the sound of his gasp. The kid had evil in his eyes, and cold steel in his hand. He had probably heard them come in. He smirked, his face radiating glee at the prospect of killing, of snuffing out human life. Decker reached into his empty pocket, realizing too late that Jonathan hadn’t given him back the snub-nose. The seconds became protracted as he watched the teen lift the weapon. Decker felt the horror of his last breath, his own fear mirrored by the terror on Jonathan’s face. Too far away to take down, and not enough time anyway. As Satan aimed, Decker looped his arm around his brother’s neck, taking them headfirst to the floor and into a puddle of newly spilled blood.

Waiting for the hit.

But nothing happened because the boy’s head was suddenly whipped back. Going down in slow motion. The fingers releasing the grip of the weapon, the gun falling from the hand, the knees buckling, and the neat round bullet hole in the forehead. A shadow appeared with outstretched arms, first catching the gun, then the body. Dressed in black, he silently lowered the corpse to the cement floor. He put a finger in front of his lips, then extended a latex-gloved left hand. In a single swoop, Decker was pulled to his feet. The face was covered with black makeup streaked with perspiration. The entire body reeked of sweat. The right hand was still holding the purloined gun.

After Jonathan was on his feet, the shadow beckoned them with an index finger, then turned his back, expecting them to follow. Wearing a black backpack, he walked soundlessly and assuredly until he came to a half flight of stairs. He scaled the steps, then nodded for Decker to come up, which he did, helping his shaking brother up onto a platform. It was no bigger than three feet square with an overhead clearance of about four feet. They were compressed, but Decker quickly understood the usefulness of the spot; it had an unobstructed view of the warehouse. His thighs bunching as he squatted, Decker scoped out the area.

Several silent ticks passed.

Donatti whispered, “You can’t say I didn’t try to warn you.”

Decker wiped blood from his face and blinked tears from his eyes. He had the sudden urge to laugh but refrained. Emotions were reeling inside him. He whispered, “You shot out the van.”

“Not me, personally,” Donatti replied. “I thought it would hang you up for a couple of hours, give me enough time to get in and out. You just fucked up everything!”

“We were on our way to the airport.” Decker was still breathing hard. “To JFK to talk to Hershfield about some drug dealers that airport security had caught. But after the van was shot out-barely on its last legs-Jonathan suggested the warehouse because it was closer. If you had left us alone, we wouldn’t have even been here.”

Donatti stared at him, then silently mouthed a series of swear words. “Might as well make yourself useful.” He handed him the dead boy’s gun, then turned his colorless eyes on Jonathan. “There’s more where that came from. Can you shoot?”

“He’s a rabbi, not a sniper,” Decker said.

“Then get him out of here.”

“My number one priority.”

“Except you can’t go out the way you came in. An alarm will sound.”

“I got in without anything going off.”

Donatti said, “It’s a one-way emergency exit. Trust me.”

“Then how do I get him out?”

Donatti didn’t answer. His breathing was labored as water cascaded off his brow.

“You don’t look good, Chris,” Decker said. “What’s wrong?”

“Shut up and let me think.”

Five minutes went by, nothing but the sound of the rain.

“You don’t look good,” Decker whispered, “but you look calm.”

“I am calm. I’m in my element.”

More time passed.

Decker examined the gun in his hands. A Smith & Wesson 9mm automatic, double action. He wasn’t sure which model, but it probably had a magazine of about twelve rounds. It didn’t smell as if it had been recently fired, the barrel was cool to the touch. Of course, it was frosty inside. Decker could see his breath. He glanced at Jonathan, crouched by his side. He was trembling hard, no doubt from fear, but the physical position they were in was anything but comfortable. Decker placed his hand on his brother’s unsteady knee. “Just another few minutes.”

Jonathan nodded. “I’m okay.”

“All right, this is the deal,” Donatti whispered. “There are five doors-front door, one emergency exit on each side, and two doors in back. The emergency exits are alarmed to go off when you leave and the front door is where the powwow’s being held. That leaves the back doors. Go for the closest one.”

Silence.

Donatti continued. “There was a cop on each alarmed side door, a pair of kids on each back door, and maybe a couple of cops at the front entrance. I’ve taken care of one cop and a kid-You know, you’re damn lucky I recognized you when you came in.”

Decker said, “It’s your artistic eye. Where was that kid stationed?”

“The one I took out? One of the back doors, which means his partner’s gonna get antsy if he doesn’t come back soon. Let’s put some lead in it.” He slipped off his backpack and pulled out a small set of binoculars. “It should be a piece of cake with two of us… if your eye is good.”

“Are you asking me if I’m a good shot?”

“Yes.”

“I’m good.”

“Then we’re fine, because I’m great.” Donatti handed Decker the infrared binoculars. Through them, the warehouse looked like daylight. “See that red wooden sign? The letter N.”

“Got it.”

“Put it center in the crosshairs.”

“Okay.”

“Clockwise one-fifty degrees.”

“There are two of them. What are they? Like a couple hundred yards away?”

“Yeah.” Donatti looked at Decker’s gun. “You can’t use that in the dark.” He took a case out and opened it up, pulling out a pistol. “Basically, it’s a Walther double-action automatic except I’ve modified it for accuracy at longer range and added an infrared scope and silencer for obvious reasons. Swap you?”

They exchanged firearms. Decker hefted the gun. “Not too heavy.”

“No need for overkill. Standard nine-millimeter Parabellum and twenty-two LR. With all the customization, it cost me about fifteen hundred bucks. I’ll probably have to lose it after this is all over. Damn shame.” He stowed the kid’s gun in his backpack and took out his own customized handgun, complete with scope and silencer. “We do them; then you can make your move through the back entrance.”

Decker studied the faces in the scope, feeling his heart drop. Two lanky boys, one maybe a couple of inches taller than the other, both of them holding that gaping-mouth confused expression commonly stamped on teenage males. Their cheeks still held a smattering of adolescent pimples. His brain flashed to his own sons. “They’re kids. Eighteen tops.”

“I was that age once,” Donatti pointed out.

A very convincing argument, but Decker wasn’t ready to make the jump. “I’m a police officer. I can’t shoot them without warning.”

“Oh, that’s clever,” Donatti mocked. “Why don’t you go all the way and paint a bull’s-eye on your forehead?”

“I can’t shoot them without giving them warning first.”

“You’re out of your mind.”

“Donatti, I’ll announce myself. If they don’t drop immediately, then we can-”

“If we give them warning, they’ll shoot, then scatter. Then we’ll have a real problem.”

“I’m not going to argue this-”

“You’re an idiot.”

“You’re repeating yourself.” Decker remained firm. “Got it?”

“Yeah, I got it.” Donatti picked up a pinecone-shaped piece of concrete and hurled it, the cement whizzing by the bigger of the two boys. As it hit a box and broke into smaller pieces, both of the teens spun around, the taller one raising his gun in Decker’s direction. He never stood a chance. Donatti picked them off in two clean shots-zzzzpt, zzzzpt. They walked a foot or two, then dropped-plop, plop. The shots were so smooth that there wasn’t any discernible blood spray. Donatti must have been using hollow points-the kind of bullets that bang around in the skull, turning the entire brain to pulp.

Decker glared at him, his eyes burning with anger.

“I gave them warning.” Donatti was expressionless. “Self-defense. Now I’ll cover you while you get your brother out.”

“That means I walk out with my back to you. I just saw you murder two kids.”

“If you don’t leave now, you won’t make it.” Donatti adjusted his scope, squatting as still as a stone frog. “I’ll wait a few minutes. If you don’t come back by then, I’ll just assume that we’ve parted ways.”

There was no time for contemplation.

“I’m keeping this.” Decker held up the gun. “Go, Jon. I’ll follow you. Be careful!”

“I don’t know where I’m going.”

“Just move!”

Once they had made it down the stairs and onto the ground, Decker, looking through the scope, scanned the area. Then he grabbed Jonathan’s hand. Using the IR lens for visibility, he twisted and turned around aisles and aisles of tall shelving, around boxes and machinery-gingerly and quietly. He dragged Jonathan along as he negotiated the path to the back. Time took on a surreal quality. It was without parameters like hours spent in a casino; in reality, it took only a few minutes to reach the back door.

Pushing it open, stepping over the threshold and then out into a wet and chilly freedom. The rain was coming down in cold, big drops, the ground beneath them slick and filled with mud holes, forcing them to tread with caution. Still, they jogged and didn’t stop until they were at the van. Jonathan’s hands were shaking as he pulled out the keys.

Decker opened the driver’s door. “Go find a phone booth and call up the State Police. Then call up NYPD and ask for Detective Mick Novack from the two-eight. Don’t tell him any details, just to get his butt out here. Don’t come back here. The less you’re involved, the better.”

“You’re not coming with me?”

“I can’t leave him alone.”

Jonathan stared at him. “You can’t be serious. Didn’t you just tell me this wasn’t worth getting killed for?”

“I don’t intend on getting killed-”

“You’re relying on Donatti for protection?”

“If I don’t go back, Jonathan, your brother-in-law is dead!”

Jonathan looked away. “My wife’s obligation may be toward her brother. My obligation is with my brother. You’ve got a wife and children. You’ve got to leave.”

“I can’t do that.”

Jonathan regarded him with tears in his eyes. “And how do I comfort Rina at the shiva?” He hugged him tightly. “You don’t know what’s going on. He could be setting you up.”

“Perfectly true. But if I don’t return, he’ll think I froze. I can’t let that maniac have that kind of superiority over me.”

“You’re crazy!”

“Then you should be concerned. Insanity is genetic.” He patted the driver’s seat. “In.”

Jonathan paused, then climbed into a damp, cold seat. Though clammy, it was still better than squatting, taut with terror. He regarded his brother. “I still have the gun you gave me.”

“I have protection, so you keep it.” Decker shut the van’s door. “With God’s help, you won’t need it. Go!”

Jonathan placed the key into the ignition. It coughed, it sputtered, it choked, but eventually the pistons kicked in. The motor was breathing, albeit asthmatically.

“Drive carefully,” Decker cautioned.

“You be careful,” Jonathan cautioned back.

When the taillights were dots in the distance, Decker started a gentle jog back toward the barn, gun in hand.

Armed and dangerous, he was a force with which to be reckoned.