#youlikeit - BLACKBIRD book 1

5. rupert

Out on the trail, Aldana couldn't spot her partners. Good, they were well hidden. She pretended to trip and grabbed Rupert's arm for support. He held her up and insisted in helping her the rest of the way.

Hiding near the car, Russell heard Fred whisper on the radio, "Going back." He drew his gun, eyes scanning the trail until he saw the dark greyish figures coming. "Got'em," he breathed on the radio.

As soon as they passed Fred's position, he moved his rifle to keep Rupert's back in his night-vision scope.

Aldana walked as if she had trouble keeping her balance, chatting non-stop about the party and that stupid Sally who bought the same dress she had, all to get attention, like they didn't know she was trying to get back at her for sleeping with Charlie. Like that hadn't been the worst night of her life, please, Sally could so have him, for all she cared.

Rupert still held her up like he did with Gillian: an arm around her waist, his other hand grabbing her elbow, and he just nodded now and then, letting her talk all she wanted.

Down Sturbridge Road, Brock soon found out that meeting the troopers was no ruse. What was more: he met them just in time to keep them from marching on to the cabin.

He introduced himself to the officer in charge of the procedure. And just as Hank had predicted, his serious scowl and the authority in his controlled voice were enough to make the troopers follow his orders. After checking that they'd brought ambulances along with their cruisers, he had them go half the way to the trail in complete silence, all the lights off.

Then he gave his radio frequency to the officer in charge, ordering him to hold their position until they were called in. He left the SUV there and headed back to the trail on foot.

Crouching before the flat tire, Rupert looked up, frowning. Aldana leaned in by his side, in such a way that the collar of her tight top almost brushed the man's cheek.

"What?" she asked.

Rupert shook his head, his eyes darting nervously to her collar. "I thought I heard a car coming."

She looked up as well. "Really?" she cried, and hurried clumsily around the back of her car to the road, looking both ways. She saw the dark shapes of the cruisers up ahead and shook her head. "No," she whined, "No one's coming."

"Don't worry, ma'am. I'll have this done in no time."

"Oh, please, don't call me that!" she chided him, going back to his side. "Makes me feel old! I'm Al, nice to meet you!" She leaned toward him again, stretching out her hand. "And you are?"

"Ru-Rupert," he stuttered, and grimaced. "Forgive me for not shaking your hand, ma'am—I mean, Al. I've been touching the tire." He shrugged. "Where's that spare and your tools?"

Brock already had a slice of Aldana's car in sight, and he hurried to hide among the bushes when he saw the trunk open.

"Coleman, how far is the cabin?" he whispered on the radio.

"Two hundred yards. The troopers?"

"Standing by."

"Wait there, Brock. Bailey's on edge."

"Okay."

He came a little closer to the car and hid behind a tree.

Russell got ready to move when he saw Aldana lean over the open trunk and Rupert Bailey come to her side. They had their backs turned to him, and had Fred not been ahead down the trail to tip him off, he wouldn't have realized what happened.

Rupert stood by Aldana and leaned in to pull out the spare. He left it on the ground by his legs and turned back to the trunk to grab the tools. And as he did, with a move too swift and precise for Aldana to see it coming, he stuck a needle in her neck and emptied a hypodermic into her vein.

Fred's voice lashed on the radio. "Russ!"

"Son of a bitch!" Aldana snarled at the same time.

She tried to punch Rupert, but he just pushed her into the trunk, head first, and was about to stuff her kicking legs in it when Russell's barrel touched the back of his neck.

"Step back," Russell said, cocking his Glock.

The man froze. Russell grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him back roughly. Aldana jumped out of the trunk, already pointing her Glock at Rupert's face.

"Raise your hands, scumbag," she said.

He obeyed, as Russell produced his handcuffs and twisted one of the man's arms behind his back. He was saying, "Rupert Bailey, you're under arrest. You have the right to remain..." and trailed off when Aldana staggered and grasped the car's side to keep her balance.

Rupert squirmed, trying to escape Russell's grip, but Brock and Fred were already there. Russell let Brock handcuff Rupert and hurried to hold Aldana up.

"Son of a bitch! He injected me!" she mumbled.

Russell guided her around the car and to the passenger seat while Brock recited his rights to the man, pushing him to the road. He called the trooper officer, who sent four of his men to take Rupert Bailey into custody.

It was then that a shot echoed from the cabin.

"Brock! Go!" shouted Russell, standing by Aldana's open door.

Brock sprinted down the trail, Fred running a few yards ahead. The sniper disappeared in the dark before his eyes, but he kept going.