Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
“This isn’t good, Marco,” Paul said as the three men fell in line to move down the narrow corridor that led between the holding cells.
It appeared as if the two drunk guys were staying right there, which made sense to Marco, since they’d probably be released as soon as they sobered up and weren’t a danger to themselves or anyone else.
But Marco and his friends? They had a spot waiting for them at the Clark County Detention Center.
“I know,” Marco said back in a low voice. “There’s no way we’re making bail. They’re planning on having us locked up for the long haul.”
“It’s worse than that,” Paul continued. “You know CCDC has some cartel boys holed up in there.”
Behind Marco, Benny said, “He’s right. The minute they get word that we’re there—if they don’t already know we’re coming—they’re going to make a move. We need protection.”
The three kept marching, the shackles they wore clanging loudly as they shuffled along, one guard in front of them and two bringing up the rear.
Marco had been so worried about Kelsey that he hadn’t even considered the danger that awaited them once they switched jails. But he knew the guys were right.
“Shit. That’s probably part of Niko’s plan.”
Paul cast a pained look over his shoulder. “Why go to the trouble of killing us when he can have the cartel do the dirty work for him?”
Marco nodded. “Then it doesn’t go back on him and there isn’t a war within the Family.”
“Right?” Paul said. “Nice and clean. You’re gone, and he’s next in line after the old man dies.”
“Keep moving!” one of the guards in the back commanded.
They walked by the guard’s control room and then up five concrete steps that led to the back metal door. It was already open and another guard waited outside, holding a shotgun.
“Damn. They’re really pulling out all the stops for us, boys,” Paul said with a laugh.
“You’re nothing special,” one of the rear guards said. “We do this for all transportations.”
“You got some guys who’ll protect us over at CCDC?” Benny asked.
But no one answered.
Marco looked around frantically but didn’t see any way he could make an escape.
He’d talked to the guys beforehand, back in the cell, about busting loose.
They were on board. Now, though, with that many deputies supervising them, and the shackles, he just didn’t see how the dream could become a reality.
He had to find a way. His babygirl needed him. Failure was not an option.
Despair nearly overpowered him as he had the crippling thought that Kelsey might already be hurt—or even worse—dead. Marco couldn’t let dread defeat him, though. If his Little girl had any shot, he had to keep a clear head.
And he needed to be free.
The transport bus’s engine hissed and popped as the large vehicle sat idling. Marco rose on his toes to get a better look into the thing and saw that there weren’t any passengers on it. At least, no one he could see from his vantage point through the windows.
Good.
The less people around, the better. He didn’t need anyone getting in his way just in case an opportunity presented itself.
That opportunity needed to pop up sooner rather than later. Once they got to the CCDC, there was virtually no chance he could make a run for it. An escape was either now, on the road, or never.
“The cuffs will remain on during this trip,” the lead guard said.
“You will remain seated behind the locked door at all times. When you get on the bus, keep moving past the grated area and sit anywhere. Make yourself comfortable. We’ve got about a twenty-minute trip ahead of us.
This can go easy or this can be difficult. It is your choice.”
The tall Black man stepped aside and jerked his head toward the bus’s door.
“Guess it’s time,” Paul said.
The guard nodded and added, “Watch your step.”
Paul put his right foot up but staggered back. He would have fallen off the bus, had it not been for Marco raising his cuffed hands the best he could to steady his old friend.
“Easy. I gotcha.”
“Thanks, kid. Sorry about that. I just… don’t feel so well.”
Worry surged through Marco as he noticed how hoarse the older man sounded. If there was anything to make this night worse, it would be Paulie having a heart attack or something!
He knew he couldn’t live forever. But Marco sure wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet.
“You good, Paulie?”
“I’m good.”
He stepped all the way onto the bus and then took the next step, but he was clearly still struggling a little bit.
“Is there a problem, sir?” the lead guard said.
Marco looked at him and saw the long golden rectangular name plate pinned to his tan shirt above his badge that read WILLIAMS.
“Deputy Williams, I think something’s wrong.”
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Paul said.
“Paulie, look, if you need medical—” Benny began.
The older man just waved off the suggestion and then finally stood upright with a deep breath. “Let’s just get on this damn bus and get this over with.”
“Are you sure you don’t need a paramedic?” Deputy Williams asked. “I can call for one.”
“I’m good,” Paul said, giving another little wave, a mask of clear disgust on his face as he plopped down on the first bench seat to the right of the aisle just past the metal grating.
Marco came onto the bus and stood there a moment, inspecting his friend. Paul’s saggy cheeks were white. A sheen of sweat glazed his forehead. His chest was rising and falling in rapid, shallow movements.
“Paulie—”
The words were cut off as Paul held up a hand. “Just sit.”
Marco took the seat across from him, keeping his knees partly in the aisle so that he could face his mentor rather than facing forward. Benny edged by and took the seat behind him.
“Sir, are you sure you do not require medical assistance at this time?” Deputy Williams asked as he stepped up onto the bus.
“I’m fine,” Paul said.
The guard didn’t look so sure, but after a minute of studying Paul, he finally nodded, stepped back in front of the grated divider, and swung the door shut with an emphatic clang before locking it with a key.
“All right. We’ll leave as soon as I sign some paperwork.”
Marco couldn’t really see well through the grating, but he heard the guy step back down the stairs and off the bus.
With it just the three of them, Marco said, “You need help, Paulie. You don’t look so good.”
Expecting to see Paul either shake his head or nod in acceptance, he was surprised when the old guy smiled.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m feeling a little anxious. But I might have played into it.” He shrugged.
Keeping his voice low, Benny laughed and said, “What gives?”
“Benny, we gotta get Marco out of here. If one of us makes it, it’s gotta be him. Kelsey’s life is on the line.” He shifted his focus to Marco. “Look, I don’t know all the details. But I’ve seen you two together—and heard enough—to know you have a unique lifestyle. You’re her… Daddy… right?”
There was no reason to deny it, so Marco didn’t.
“I don’t judge. But I know this—Daddies take care of their girls. And right now she needs you. So, let us cause a distraction. Then get the hell out of here, kid.”
Marco smiled. “I appreciate it. But I can’t just leave you two to?—”
“He’s right, Marco. You need to get out of here,” Benny chimed in. “And time is running out. If we’re going to do something, it’s gotta be now.”
Marco knew they were right. Still, it felt wrong to just cut and run, leaving his most loyal friends behind.
The sound of footsteps coming on the bus reinforced the urgency. Time was running out. They needed to make a move now.
Quietly, Paul said, “Marco, I ain’t been a good man in my life. Maybe it’s time I do a good thing. If I can help Kelsey, then…”
“That goes for me, too,” Benny said. “We’ll be fine. But don’t worry about us. Just get her!”
Before Marco could even agree to it, Paulie was on the floor, convulsing violently.
“Guard! Guard! Something’s happening to him!” Benny yelled.
“Shit!” Deputy Williams yelled over the jangling of his keys as he frantically tried to get the grated security door unlocked. Raising his voice even more, he yelled, “I need medics pronto!”
Marco knelt in the aisle, but Paul whispered quietly, “Get ready kid. Now’s your chance.”
“I’ll find you guys,” he whispered back.
He didn’t wait for a response before jumping up, lowering his head, and running straight down the narrow aisle. Officer Williams knew what was coming and tried to adopt a defensive posture, but it was too late.
The officer’s back crashed hard into the bus’s dash, and Marco was glad that he didn’t hear a crunching noise. He had no desire to hurt the guy. But he wouldn’t let anyone stand in the way of him getting to Kelsey, either.
Williams groaned as he slid to the floor. Marco thought about reaching for the holstered gun, but handcuffed as he was it would take too long if he could even secure the weapon anyway.
Right now, he had the element of surprise on his side. He needed to keep moving before the guards could realize what was happening and get mobilized.
He almost tripped and fell down the stairs but thankfully stayed on his feet and came off the bus regaining his balance. The other guards had gone to call the first responders, so they weren’t in a position to immediately chase him. But when they noticed, shouts rang out.
The click of the shotgun’s pump being worked nearly made him stop in his tracks, but he turned around the bus and kept running. The shot that followed was too far away for any of the pellets to reach him, but that boom was still jarring nonetheless.
Marco didn’t stop.
He knew the guards were at a disadvantage now. They had two prisoners to secure—and one might need medical attention, as far as they knew. Their code of conduct precluded them from simply ignoring him.
And it would take them a while to get backup and organize an effective search.
Right now, Marco was free.
For how long, he didn’t know.
It doesn’t have to last forever, he told himself. Just until I find my babygirl and make sure she’s safe.
She’s all that matters in this world.