CaughtInTheTrap (31 page)

“Don’t look so perplexed, Murphy.  The chase has been fun, but now it’s over.  I’m tired, your girlfriend is tired of running, and Shell is ready to move on to better things in the organization.”

Zach frowned. “Fuck both of you!”  He turned to Rodney. “I trusted you with my life, man.  Did you kill Carla and my baby already?”  Rodney didn’t answer but held the gun up and pointed it at Zach’s head. Sweat beaded on his forehead. “Did you, Rodney?  Answer me dammit!” he shouted.

“Quit stalling and shoot him, Shell!” Lowes ordered.

Rodney’s face formed a deep scowl as he yelled. “Lowes, you want me to shoot him! Then I will!”  He squeezed the trigger, emptying his magazine into Lowes' chest.

Zach heard footsteps behind him.  He realized he still had his weapon and turned and fired killing the man behind him before he had a chance to return fire on them.

Rodney inserted a new magazine. “Take cover.  There are at least six other men in here. We are about to be ambushed.”

“We don’t have any backup coming?” Zach asked as he scurried for cover.

“Until they arrive, it’s just us.  Shit, here they come.  On three, we take them down.”

Zach cracked his neck. “I’m ready.”

When the smoke cleared, the two men stood facing each other. Six men lay wounded or dead. Rodney spoke first. “There is no way I would ever shoot you. Zach, this was the only way I could prove Lowes was dirty.”

Zach kicked a weapon from the reach of a wounded soldier of Lowes. “You could’ve clued me in,” Zach said.

“I couldn’t tell anyone.  Only the section chief was in on the undercover operation.”

“Rodney, where’s Carla?”

“She’s okay, Zach.  I had her park up on the hill in that cluster of apartments.  I would never hurt her or your kid.”

A weight lifted off Zach’s shoulders.  His legs felt numb and his chest heaved from his heart pounding against it. He was glad he didn’t go with his first instinct to attack Rodney.  He would have killed the only true friend he had.

AFT and FBI agents flooded the building in full tactical gear. Agent Anderson approached Zach and Rodney. She lowered her weapon. “I guess you couldn’t wait?”

Rodney shrugged his shoulders. “We did what we had to do, Agent Anderson. You guys were a little late getting to the party.”

“I had to wait for verification from your section chief. Good job, guys.  Oh, Agent Murphy, there is a young lady waiting anxiously outside to see you.  Please go calm her down before she has a stroke.”

Zach smiled and trotted out of the building.  Carla was standing behind yellow tape in her bare feet and shivering from the cold wind whipping around her. He went over to her and hugged her. “I’m fine, baby.  It’s all over.”

“Is Rodney okay?” she asked.

“He’s okay too.”  He picked her up in his arms and said, “You’re frozen solid. I’m taking you to the hospital to get checked out and then home where I can take care of you and my little one.”

“Yes, I think I need to do that and then let you take care of me, only I will cook.  You can’t cook, baby.”

Zach laughed carrying her to the car. “I promise to leave the cooking to you.”

One Year Later

“You look so handsome, Zach.  I wish Mom were alive to see you get married to the woman you truly love.”

“Patty, don’t get me more emotional than I am already.  I don’t know if I can face those people out there,” Zach said drinking a sip of water to calm his nerves.

Patty smiled. “Look at you; you’re a nervous wreck. Honey, just focus on Carla walking down the aisle to you.  I guarantee your nervous stomach will go away.”

“That’s easy for you to say. Patty, what if I’m more like Dad than I thought.”

“You have got to be kidding me.”  She picked up the baby. “Hold your baby, Zach.”

The wedding had to be postponed until Carla delivered.  As her pregnancy progressed, complications arose and Carla was ordered on bed rest. Zach didn’t want to risk losing Carla or the baby and made sure she followed the doctor’s orders to the penny. He put everything on hold until she was given the green light to continue with planning their wedding.  He was grateful that Paula and his sister stepped in to help her.

He reached for his daughter cuddling her close to him. He remembered the day the doctor put Sofia in his arms; he was afraid to move.  Her tiny body seemed so fragile wrapped snug in a pink and blue blanket and sleeping in the crook of his big arm.  He stared at her for hours not believing she was his and that he could create a human so perfect. Her brown eyes and tiny button nose reminded him of Carla, but Sofia had his firm chin and light brown hair. But it was when she curled her hand around his finger that he broke down and realized he was a father and would not take that title for granted.

He kissed her soft cheek and a smile curled at her lips.  Her tiny fingers played with his nose and lips. He nipped her fingertips with his lips. “I love my daughter, Patty.”

“I know you do.  Carla said how you are the first to jump up when she cries or you think she has slept too long. You’re always checking on her.”

“I’m making sure she’s okay and to let Carla get a break.  She’s working long hours as an EMT now and I don’t want her to get burned out.”

Patty smacked her lips. “See, that right there makes you not like Dad.  He would never do that for Mom.”

“You’re right.  I did invite him to the wedding and he hesitated about coming.”

“Don’t let it bother you, Zach.  Dad is who he is and we can’t change that.  Interracial marriages are hard, but I have faith that you and Carla will overcome all obstacles and be together forever. She is a very strong and opinionated woman but you two go well together.”

 “Yeah, she keeps me in my place. Well, it’s almost time for the wedding to start. I better finish getting dressed.” Zach gave Sofia one last hug before handing her back to his sister.

“Okay, we’ll go check on mommy and see if she needs a pep talk,” Patty said bouncing Sofia on her hip.

Zach's head whipped around to face her. “Do you think she’s having second thoughts about marrying me? What if she changes her mind and backs out, Patty?”

Patty rolled her eyes. “This is going to be a long day for you if you keep stressing over silly stuff. I’ll see you later, Zach.”

Zach paced the small dressing room.  He wished he had a drink to settle his fears. Marriage, fatherhood, job change; it all happened too fast.

Rodney knocked on the door before pushing it open.  “Hey, aren’t you ready yet?”

Zach went to the mirror to fix his tie. “Yeah, I’m almost ready.  How is everything out there?”

“Everything is in order, Zach.  You are marrying a terrific woman and have a beautiful baby girl; what more could you ask for?”

“How about one more favor,” he said putting on his suit jacket.

“What do you need, Zach?” Rodney asked sarcastically.

Zach ran a brush through his hair. “Carla and I want you to be Sofia’s Godfather. We discussed it, and both agree you’re the best person to look after Sofia if something happens to us.”

Rodney stuttered. “I-I don’t know what to say.  I’d be honored to serve as her Godfather.”  He put his hands on his hips and said, “It wasn’t easy keeping the information about Lowes from you.  I wanted to tell you what was going on.  Lowes was a sneaky dude and could have gone behind my back to get someone to do you in if he’d found out what I was doing.  I couldn’t let that happen.”

“I understand the position you were in. When I get back from my honeymoon, we’ll celebrate your promotion to SAC.  You deserve the position.”

“Sounds like a plan.  Plus we have to discuss your decision to join the Domestic Terrorism Division.  Are you sure that’s what you want to do, Zach?”

He nodded. “I have a family to support. For the first time in my life, I have roots, Rodney.  I want to read my daughter bedtime stories and kiss her goodnight.  I want to hear about Carla’s day while we enjoy a glass of wine together. I also want to lay down with her and wake up next to her in the mornings.  I’ve spent so many nights sitting awake watching, and planning that I need the break. I want to experience what it’s like to be a regular family man without the damn drama.”

Rodney sighed. “Maybe the changes going on in our lives are a blessing, Zach.  I’ll be in the office working behind the scenes instead of traveling. With my butt in one place, I think I’ll start looking for love again. Watching you with Carla has had an impact on me to want the family thing again.”

Zach grinned. “Really? One woman and no cheating ever again?”

“I swear the next woman I meet will see the new me. Rodney, the playa is gone for good.”

“Wait until after the reception before you make any life-changing decisions. There will be plenty of single women attending and I don’t want you to self-implode trying to adhere to any promises,” Zach said laughing.

Rodney laughed with him. “Good looking out.”  He checked his watch. “We better get in position before Carla thinks you backed out.”

“How do I look?”

“You look great, man. Congratulations on making the right choice.”

Zach stretched out his arms. “Bring it in, man.  We hug one time and no one, and I mean no one will ever know about it.”

Standing at the altar, Zach’s knees knocked as he waited for Carla to walk down the aisle. He’d been in dangerous situations and didn’t blink an eye but today, he was scared to death of what was about to happen.

He sucked in a breath as he looked around the church.  Pink and white flowers were everywhere and big lavender bows and white lace decorated the pews.  On the pulpit, the minister, dressed in a white and gold robe stood in a regal pose.  On the floor, a small band with members of the choir seated on a platform above them patiently waited.

This was all new to him. He wasn’t a part of Patty’s wedding fifteen years ago.  He missed the wedding working a case overseas, but his plane made it back in time for the reception.

Zach’s attention went to his daughter when he heard her giggle.  She was sitting on Patty’s lap playing with her favorite stuffed animal not amused by what was going on around her. At seven months old, she was crawling and got into everything in her reach.  He looked over at Carla’s family sitting proudly in the front section of pews. Many of her family members accepted him, but there were some that couldn’t get over him being the FBI agent that sought to put Tyrone and Phillip behind bars.

In the end, Tyrone was caught by Federal Air Marshalls as he tried to board a flight to Canada.  He is currently awaiting trial in a federal prison in Virginia.  Phillip was granted immunity for turning States evidence against Lowes and other members of the FBI and ATF that were working with Lowes.  He also named key figures in the Russian mafia currently residing in the United States that the FBI and ATF have a keen interest in. He will serve as a confidential informant for the FBI’s Organized Crime division.

He stood straight as the wedding planner raised her hand and the music for traditional wedding march filled the church. Paula was first to walk down the aisle wearing a flowing lavender floor-length dress.  The tiny lavender flowers in her hair were perfect the early Spring wedding. 

Paula smiled as she passed him to stand on the opposite side of the altar.  An empty chair with lavender lace draped across it with a bouquet of flowers centered in the middle served as a maker for Tonya.  If she were alive, she would be a part of Carla’s big day.

Zach’s eyes fell on Carla as she walked down the aisle with her father.  It shocked her when he asked if he could walk her down the aisle. The lump in his throat rose. She looked stunning in the off-the-shoulder white wedding gown that hugged her tiny figure. The extra weight she gained during her pregnancy melted off her right away.

A magical warmth filled his heart when he took her hand in his and looked into her eyes. “Carla, you’re so beautiful.  I love you so much.”

Her eyes blinked. “Baby, don’t make me cry and ruin my makeup. But, you look so handsome and I love you so much.  I can’t wait to be your wife.”

Zach turned to the minister. “You heard what the lady said; she wants to be my wife so let’s get this show on the road.”

 Once the minister pronounced them man and wife, Zach sealed their union with a kiss that drew a round of applause from the guests. “I love you, Mrs. Murphy,” he said coming up for a breath.

“I’m so happy, Zach.  I never thought this kind of happiness would be possible after all I’ve been through.”

He thumbed tears from her eyes. “I promise you’ll never regret marrying me.”

“I know I won’t and to prove it, I have a surprise for you,” Carla said with a wicked grin.

She pointed to the band.  Paula handed her a microphone.  She turned to the guests who wondered what was going on. “I know what I’m about to do is not traditional for a church wedding, but I could only think of one way to show my new husband how much I love him. I want to sing him a song. This song is one that many of you are familiar with, so feel free to join in.”

Zach felt the blush rise on his cheeks. Was she really going to serenade him in front of 200 people?  He dropped his head unable to make eye contact with any of the eyes staring at him.

Carla signaled the band, and the music started to play.  He released a broad smile recognizing the music.  Rodney slapped him on the shoulder, as he bounced to the beat of the music.

“Ladies, how many of you have wanted to sing this song to your man because you know it’s true? Well, I’m singing it today and thanking Ms. Patti LaBelle for writing the words that I feel in my heart about my man.”  She lifted Zach’s head up. “Baby, you are the right and only kind of lover for me.”

Zach clapped his hands and swayed to the beat of the music with his new wife as she sang Patti LaBelle’s
The Right Kind Of Lover
.  It wasn’t long before the guests were on their feet singing and dancing along with them.  It was wonderful to see two families from two different backgrounds come together to celebrate their special day.

At the end of the song, Zach pulled Carla into his arms. The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile.  “God, I love you.”