One Tough Cop by Dahlia Rose Page B

a moment before meeting the team behind the mobile unit. The patrolmen who were manning the floodlights turned them off. In the darkness the only thing that Max could see of the man before him was the wet sheen of his vest and the bright SWAT letters. Using hand signals, he directed the men. He was behind the guy who would make first entry into the window. Max’s gun was trained and ready when they cut the glass out. Each of them moved inside. They were slow and moved with stealth, always on the lookout, and each man’s gun was trained on anything that might jump out. Since they knew exactly where Walter was they could move in that direction without clearing each room. In the darkness, he could make out toys, a crib, and baby diapers on a chest of drawers. Jesus, the women here must have been scared out of their fucking minds , Max thought angrily. He tapped the man in front and he stepped back so Max could take the lead. Each step down the stairs from the hallway Max hoped wouldn’t creak. Luckily they didn’t make a sound. Outside the main room they stopped. He saw Jones and the second half of the team coming in the door down the hall.
    He put his hand on the doorknob and when Jones nodded that he was ready Max turned the knob slowly. With one sudden move Jones threw the flashbang canister inside and it went of instantly. It was meant to confuse the assailant with noise, light, and smoke. Walter screamed, and Max and his team made entry to take down the assailant.
    “Gun down, gun down!” Max yelled the order.
    Walter was waving the gun frantically and the pregnant woman managed to crawl out of harm’s way.
    “Drop it, Walter, now, do it now,” Max demanded a second time.
    Instead, Walter swung the gun in his direction and Max had no choice, nor did he feel any guilt about his action. He and Jones double-tapped Walter and dropped him cold. One shot to the head and one to the heart. Walter was dead before he hit the ground. With the target eliminated they moved into the room quickly and secured it. Jones and Max went to work on the ties that held the director to the chair.
    “Get her, deal with her,” the director gasped. “Her contractions are so close she’s going to deliver here and now.”
    “That’s why we’re getting you loose lady,” Jones said.
    “No, he broke my arm, one of you will have to do it, and my name is Karen,” she snapped.
    Max moved away from her and went to the lady on the floor. She shrank away and whimpered like a wounded animal in pain. Something lurched in Max’s chest. He dropped his weapon and got on his knees in front of her, holding up his hands.
    “I’m not here to hurt you,” Max spoke low and kept his voice even. “I swear no one will ever hurt you again, okay. But I need to check you, and help deliver your baby. You need help and I promise everything will be okay.”
    Who was the man making a promise to this woman? Max wondered. Her hair was tousled and her dark skin was shining with sweat. Her soft brown eyes were filled with fear and pain. Her lips trembled and tears streamed down her cheeks. She struck an emotional trigger in him and he wanted to protect her. He tried to move closer but again she shrugged away. A contraction hit her and she bit her lip to keep from moaning. He saw grit in her bravery and strength because even as her eyes told him it hurt, she didn’t scream.
    “Honey, I need to see if your baby is okay,” Max tried again. “Think about your baby, is it a boy or girl?”
    “B-boy… it’s a boy.” Her answer was so soft he barely heard it.
    “Do you have a name picked out?” Max asked.
    “Jules.”
    “After Jules Verne?” he asked.
    She nodded and Max grinned. “I like it. What’s your name?”
    “Nicole,” she answered more easily. “Nicole Henry.”
    “Well Nicole, you’re in pain and Jules here wants out, so how about you let me give him a hand?” Max asked gently.
    She nodded and Max approached. He slipped one hand under her