Milwaukee Deep
Chapter 25

“What have you got, Cheapers?” asked Harding, the phone to his ear as he and Perks drove fast over the George Washington Bridge.

“We’re here at a gas station, just outside Queens – I’ve got four of our men each covering the north and south side, while Karidis is covering east with another three of our guys.”

“And west?” asked Harding

“That’s the front – I’m in a vehicle at a gas pump, and I have six men in a van parked less than five meters from the front door.”

“Are you certain he’s there?”

“Well his car’s parked here and the signal strength from his cell phone is white hot.”

“But have you seen him – surely you can make him out by now?” Harding queried with a touch of anxiety in his voice.

“My guess is he’s in the can – it’s been less than five minutes and there’s no sign of him in the station.”

“And where are the bathrooms?” Harding asked, “Are they in the main station or are they around the back?”

“No these ones are in the station – they tie in with the adjoining McDonald’s that forms part of the gas station,” said Cheapston.

Harding looked over to Perks – Perks’ eyes were on the road.

“So what’s your plan, Cheapers?”

“Well we go in and we go in hard, Sir.”

“Are you sure that’s necessary?” Harding replied, “It sounds like you’ve got him surrounded – why not wait?”

Perks turned and looked at Harding.

“Negative. I’m not taking any risks, Sir. I know we have the station surrounded, but if we wait for him to come out, then he controls the situation, Sir, not us.”

“Cheapers, this is your op, so it’s your call, but understand this, under no circumstance do you risk injuring, or worse, killing this man. Do you read me?”

“Copy that, Sir – I know how important he is to us.”

“Not only that, Cheapers, but he’s on our side – you do understand that, don’t you?”

“I do, Sir, don’t worry.”

“Good,” Harding looked over to Perks, “Call me immediately after you’ve got him, okay – we’re not that far away now.”

“Copy that, Sir. I’ll talk to you soon,” and Agent Cheapston ended the call.

Agent Cheapston put down the phone and picked up his receiver. He cradled the ear piece into his ear, and put the receiver over his mouth.

“Esterson, Karidis, Cooper, do you copy?”

“Copy, Cheapers,” replied Cooper

“Loud and clear,” added Karidis

“Copy that,” said Agent Esterson

“Okay, fellas, there’s one point of entry, but there are four exit points. Cooper you and your men cover the windows of the bathrooms. Esterson, you and your men have the drive through window and the other two windows of the adjoining McDonald’s. Karidis two of your men cover the man hole on the corner and the other two cover the sky light on the roof of the station – I know both are long shots but I don’t want this one slipping through the cracks. My guys will cover the front entrance as well as inside the gas station and the restaurant. If we hit any brick walls we will call immediately for back up and that’s where you and your guys come in. Have we got all that?”

“Copy.”

“Affirmative.”

“Got it.”

“Good,” replied Cheapers, “Okay, keep your eyes open – I’m heading out now.”

Agent Cheapston stepped out of his car and walked over to the van parked near the front entrance of the gas station. He opened the back doors.

“Gentlemen, we’re about to head in. Washington, Faulkner, Baker, Sully you four are coming in with me. I want an immediate sweep of the area as soon as the request comes from me for everyone to hit the ground – make sure you control any heroes out there who think this is an armed robbery – got it?”

“Yes, Sir,” they all replied in unison.

“Good. Now, Peters, Wakely, I need both of you to stand post outside the front entrance – no one goes in or out, do you understand?”

“Certainly, Sir.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good, now before we go in, have we disabled the subject’s vehicle?”

“Yes, Sir, I did as soon as we arrived – it’s not going anywhere,” replied Agent Washington.

“Excellent. Okay, gentlemen, let’s get this done – remember gas masks on, coms on - fast in, fast out - control the situation.”

Agent Cheapston pulled out his weapon and headed directly to the main entrance, closely followed by his team of six.

He put on his gas mask and entered the station.

As he entered he pulled out two canisters from inside his coat and threw them on the floor. They rolled out into the open, one behind the magazine rack, the other just opposite the cashier.

Two young ladies noticed Cheapers and screamed.

The canisters began to release the smoke – the room filled fast with the plumes.

“Everybody may I have your attention please!” he yelled out.

“Get on the floor – GET ON THE FLOOR NOW!”

His voice was muffled somewhat, but the seven customers, the cashier, and the five McDonald’s employees all hit the ground – their screams soon subdued by coughing and gagging as the smoke filled every corner and crevice.

“MOVE IN!”

Agents Washington and Faulkner began their sweep of the gas station, while Cheapston, followed closely by Agents Baker and Sully, headed for the bathroom door.

“Ready – on three. One, two, three!”

Baker jumped in first and hit the ground his weapon aimed, his eyes scanning the room. Cheapers followed, kicking down the first of the two cubicle doors – his weapon out and aimed directly at anyone sitting on the toilet.

The first one was empty.

He kicked in the second door…

The second cubicle was also empty.

Cheapers turned to scan the rest of the small bathroom.

There was no one there.

Agent Cheapston ripped off his gas mask and put the receiver to his mouth.

“Is there any sign of Crease anywhere in the main area?” he called into the tiny receiver.

“No sign, Sir,” came the reply from Washington into Cheapston’s earpiece.

“Affirmative, everyone accounted for here, Sir,” replied Faulkner.

“Female toilets all clear, Sir,” Sully said.

Cheapston was about to rush out, when…

“Sir, look!” yelled Baker.

Cheapers turned and looked where Baker was pointing. His eyes followed Baker’s finger as he looked down beneath the sink – there it was, a cell phone, still open, sitting on the tiled floor.

“Aw, fuck!”

Cheapers put the receiver back up to his mouth.

“Stand down – repeat, stand down. Subject is not within proximity, repeat, subject is not here. We’ve been fooled, gentlemen - the fucker got us.”