Operation: Endgame (21 page)

“911, what’s your emergency?”

“I’m on Texas Tech University campus, behind the English building, by the math building, and shots are being fired from an unknown assailant.”

“Is anyone hurt?”

“Not that I can see. I need you to dispatch Detective Brian Barnes also. I think this may be part of one of his ongoing cases.”

“What is your name sir?”

“Jake Madsen. He’ll know me.” With that, Jake flipped off the phone call. He needed to get Cassie to a more secure position. He didn’t like having her out there in the open. He looked around once again, trying to spot where the guy could be hiding, but he just couldn’t see anything besides the blood pouring out of the animal’s body.

Jake slowly opened the door, making sure to stay under the cover of the walls as much as possible. Cassie gasped and turned when she heard the door. The relief in her eyes when she saw him swamped him with emotion. He needed to get her out of this courtyard. He mouthed at her, “Where?”

She motioned over towards the other side of the courtyard, but he couldn’t see anything out of place over there. He waved a hand at her, using the hand signals they developed during childhood, so she would know to stay where she was at, while he moved out the door going in the direction of where she said the shooter was positioned. He looked back at her as he moved and cringed at the alarm in her eyes as she realized what he was doing.

She started to rise, but he shook his head vehemently at her, so she wouldn’t endanger herself. Damn, he cursed internally as he spotted that look in her eyes which said she was going to out-stubborn him. She was going to move with him if he went any closer to where the shooter was positioned. Thank goodness, he could hear sirens in the distance, but that brought up another issue. Cassie and he both were armed and hiding behind columns. They didn’t exactly look like good guys, so he quickly turned back around and skirted his way around the columns to make it to her side, then called 911 again.

“911, state your emergency.”

“This is Jake Madsen. I just called in a shooting over at Texas Tech. I hear the police coming and just wanted to make sure they were aware that myself and a female professor are on the south side of that courtyard. We’re both armed, so please tell them not to shoot us.”

“Are you both okay?”

“Yes, we’re secure behind a brick column and believe the shooter is on the other side of the courtyard.”

Cassie nudged him and whispered. “He’s using a high-powered rifle, probably a sniper special, with a silencer.”

Jake relayed that information to the 911 operator.

“I need you both to stay secured where you’re at. I have the officers who are arriving on the scene and they know where you are. Let them do their job and stay out of their way.”

“Yes, ma’am, roger that.”

At that, three police cars screeched into the parking lot and the car doors were flung open. One stopped right in front of the column where Cassie and Jake were still under cover. Officer Pete Larson, the officer who had been working security at Cassie’s house, jumped out of the car and joined Jake and Cassie behind the next column over. “What’s the situation?”

“I don’t know if he’s still here, but someone was on the north side of the courtyard taking shots with a silenced rifle. He shot the cat’s head,” they all glanced over at the dead cat, as Cassie continued, “and when I ran behind the column, he took another shot.” She gestured where the bullet was lodged in the wall. “That was about ten minutes ago, and I haven’t seen or heard anything since. I’m not even sure if he’s still here or not.”

Officer Larson spoke quietly into his radio and then turned to speak again to Cassie and Jake. “A SWAT team is on the way. You said he’s using a silencer, but we had reports of people hearing shots fired.” He glanced down at their handguns. “Were those one of yours?”

Cassie nodded. “Yes, it was me. I shot directly into the air hoping someone would call the police. I hoped the gunfire would keep someone from wandering back here and getting shot.”

The officer gave a quick nod.

Fifteen minutes later, they were given the all-clear and Police Officer Larson ushered them back to Cassie’s office where Detective Barnes was looking at the yellow piece of paper lying front and center on Cassie’s desk.

At the sight, Cassie’s stomach sank, but she rushed over to see what the note said:

You disappoint me, Cassie.

You so easily could have been the cat today.

Maybe I will put your boyfriend

in my sights next time.

It’s time to think like the military

strategist that you are.

-BK

Cassie felt the shudders start rolling through her body. Jake noticed and enveloped her within his arms. He gave her a soft kiss at her temple and murmured, “Relax, it’s just an after-effect of the adrenaline. You’re okay.”

Honestly, Jake was feeling some after-effects of the adrenaline overload too and he pulled her even tighter into the circle of his arms. She could have died today…again. The thought of losing her made his blood run cold, but the feel of her breathing and standing alive in his arms sent a different kind of blood flowing. He felt Cassie’s breath hitch at the feel of his erection pressing into her back. Jake knew he should move away from her, but he physically couldn’t put a separation between their bodies. She was alive and right now he just needed to savor that feeling. He felt his own shudder run through his body.

He felt Cassie stiffen and then pull away. Damn, he needed to get his act together. She looked at Brian who kept talking in the radio. “May I go to the restroom? It’s just a few doors down the hall.”

Brian looked up at her and held up his hand. “Sure, just a second, and I’ll get a police officer to escort you.”

“That’s not…” Cassie began, but Brian immediately interrupted.

He looked at her sternly. “If you want to go, you’ll accept an officer going with you to ensure your safety.” He paused and took a thoughtful look at her, “Which brings up the question, why were you alone today?”

Cassie stammered for a bit. “I was just taking out the trash. When Derek had to leave for an emergency, I called Jake so I knew he was coming.”

Brian eyes hardened. “What kind of emergency was so important he decided it was okay to leave you unprotected?”

“The girl he’s dating had a car problem. There was no reason to think it was anything more and I did call Jake. I know I shouldn’t have gone out alone, but there wasn’t any reason to think anyone would even know I was here to be in danger.”

“Do I need to share the meaning of stalker? This guy is somehow watching you and he knows your every move. What happened today took premeditation and planning and this guy, whoever he is, knew you were going to be here and taking that path. Who all knew you were going to be here working this morning?”

Cassie glanced at Jake, but answered, “As far as I know, it was just Derek, Jake, and I. Obviously, Derek may have mentioned it to Melissa, his girl, but I don’t know. She called him on his cell phone, not the office phone, so I don’t know if she knew he was here or not.”

Brian looked determined. “I need to talk to Derek, but Cassie, you have to do your part to keep safe. No going anywhere without someone with you and that includes going down the hall to the bathroom.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry, Brian. I won’t make that mistake again.”

After Cassie left, Jake looked at Brian. “Thanks for that.” He gestured towards the door where Cassie just left.

“What I said was true. Somehow this guy knew she was here this morning and she was going to be alone. How much do you know about her TA, Derek?”

“Obviously, not enough.” Jake looked frustrated and Brian could see his jaw clenching.

Brian looked at Jake for a little bit before he said, “When are you going to tell her you’re in love with her?”

Jake felt the blood drain from his face. “Wha…” At Brian’s incredulous look, Jake took a deep breath. “How did you know?”

“Man, it’s written on your face every time you look at her and every time you touch her.”

Jake ran a hand over his face, but looked at his friend. “I may be in love with her, but that doesn’t mean I’m the right guy for her. She deserves someone better than me. I’ve let her down so many times. Today’s just the latest in a long line of times when I’ve failed her.”

Brian just shook his head. “That isn’t fair to you or her. Doesn’t she get a say in it?”

“In this, no. I owe it to her brother to keep my distance and that is non-negotiable no matter how I feel.”

“I hate to tell you this, but I think you’re making a huge mistake.”

“Maybe so, but that’s my decision.”

***

Cassie slumped against the wall outside her office. The officer Brian tagged to take her down to the restroom was in a heavy discussion with another officer, so she hadn’t made it to the restroom yet. Instead she’d heard every word spoken between Jake and Brian. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but by the time she realized they were talking about her, she was too shocked to do anything but stand there numb and listen. Now she had to decide what she was going to do about it.

It was several hours later by the time Jake and Cassie finished up with the questioning about the shooting. Cassie had been introspective throughout much of that time as she thought about the things she’d overheard that morning. Jake was in love with her. After all these years of crushing on him, it was shocking to hear. She had no idea he felt that way about her. In love…that was huge. Of course, she knew he loved her, but being in love with her was something so different and so much more. She didn’t know what to do with that information; especially since he’d made it clear he didn’t want her to know. The question was, why? Why didn’t he tell her? Why did he think Chris would have wanted him to keep his distance? Chris loved Jake like a brother. He wanted him happy too.

She just didn’t understand any of it, but she knew Jake wasn’t comfortable with something about the situation and there was definitely still the question of Amy. Cassie wasn’t going to do anything about what she had overheard without more thought.

In the meantime, this afternoon they’d both settled into a funk and it was time to get out of it. Their talk about the scars on their palms the night before had triggered a spark of an idea. In college, Jake and Chris had gone and gotten matching tattoos on their backs featuring the cross which appeared on the musketeer uniforms in the 1993 version of
The Three Musketeers
movie. They each had the tattoo on their left shoulder behind where their hearts were located.

Jake was staring morosely into the fire burning in the fireplace when Cassie picked up the phone. “Frankie, this is Professor Robertson from Military History 101. You told me once if I ever wanted a tattoo,” at this word, Jake’s gaze flew to Cassie’s, “you could set me up. I need to get a tattoo and I would like to do it today. Do you think you can fit me in?”

Cassie listened while Frankie responded, looked at her watch, and then glanced back over at Jake. “Okay, sounds good. Thanks Frankie. We’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”

Jake quirked an eyebrow at Cassie after she hung up the phone. “Do we have plans for this afternoon?”

“Yes, I’m getting a tattoo. I’m assuming you want to tag along as my protection.”

Both of Jake’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Cassie never wanted a tattoo before. When he and Chris went and got their matching ones done in college, they wanted her to go too, but she refused. “A tattoo, really? What do you want to get tattooed and why?”

“You’ll see. Come on.” She walked out the front door and hopped up into Jake’s truck. Jake moved a bit slower, still wondering what she was up to, but willing to go along. Cassie directed Jake to the tattoo shop called, Fortune Ink. The place looked clean enough from the outside, but you never could be too sure about these shops.

Jake looked at Cassie. “How do you know this Frankie?”

“He was a student of mine a few years ago. He has and does gorgeous ink. He always promised me he would tattoo me if I ever wanted something done. I provided him with some private tutoring when he was in my class.”

“So, again, I have to ask, what exactly are we doing here?” Jake looked at her with curiosity.

Cassie just turned, winked at him and then she strode over to the door and went inside.

Jake sighed, “Okay, I guess I’ll just see then won’t I?”

As they walked into the shop, a tall lanky guy dressed in a t-shirt, loose jeans, combat boots, and with his red hair done in dreadlocks pulled back in a ponytail, walked out of the back room. His arms were covered with full arm sleeves of ink and from what Jake could see, a good amount of it was really well-done. He walked forward with his eyes only on Cassie, “Professor, I never thought I’d see you in here.”

“Hi, Frankie. Thank you so much for fitting me in today.”

“No problem. I’d do anything for my favorite sexy professor.” He stepped back from where he had grabbed her hand and did a full-body perusal of her. “And can I just say, I think you have gotten even sexier in the last couple of years.” He gave her a flirtatious grin which caused Jake to scowl. “So what do you want to have done today?”