Chapter 55 The Warning
DETECTIVE ROURKE'S POV
I was sitting in my car outside the Hayes estate when my phone rang, it was my inside contact. A guy who worked security for one of Collin's business partners.
"We have a problem," he said.
"What kind of problem?" I asked.
"Hayes found the wife's phone," he said. "The burner she was using to talk to you. He knows everything."
My blood ran cold. "When did this happen?"
"This morning," he said. "He confronted her about it, told her she was coming to a meeting tonight. Word is he is planning something."
"What kind of something?" I asked.
"I do not know exactly," he said. "But people are saying Hayes is going to make an example of someone and the wife is going to be there."
I hung up and immediately called Jason Cross. He answered on the third ring.
"We have a problem," I said.
"What now?" Jason asked.
"Hayes knows about Caitlyn," I said. "He found the phone. He knows she has been working with me."
"When did this happen?" Jason demanded.
"This morning," I said. "And there is a meeting tonight. Hayes is bringing Caitlyn with him."
"Where?" Jason asked.
"I do not know yet," I admitted. "But I am working on finding out."
"Work faster," Jason said. "If Hayes has her at a meeting with his organization she is in serious danger."
"I know," I said. "That is why I am calling you. We need to move tonight. We cannot wait any longer."
"What do you need from me?" Jason asked.
"Your crew," I said. "And your bikes. If we are going to extract Caitlyn from a room full of criminals we need firepower."
"You want me to raid an organization meeting?" Jason asked. "That is suicide."
"It is the only option," I said. "If we do not get her out tonight Hayes is going to kill her. I am sure of it."
Jason was quiet for a moment. "Where is the meeting?"
"I am working on that," I said. "Give me an hour. I will find out where it is and text you the location."
"One hour," Jason said. "And Rourke? This better not be a setup."
"It is not a setup," I said. "I want Hayes behind bars as much as you do but right now we need to focus on getting Caitlyn out alive."
"Agreed," Jason said and hung up.
I called my contact back. "I need to know where that meeting is happening."
"I told you I do not know," he said.
"Then find out," I said. "I will pay you double your usual rate. Just get me that location in the next hour."
"I will try," he said. "But Hayes is being careful, not everyone knows where it is."
"Try harder," I said and hung up.
I started my car and drove toward the Hayes estate. Maybe I could tail them when they left for the meeting. Follow them to the location and call in backup.
But that was risky. If Hayes spotted me following him, he would know something was up, and if he got spooked, he might kill Caitlyn right there in the car.
I needed that location. I needed to know where the meeting was so I could plan the extraction properly.
My phone buzzed with a text from my partner Jenkins. "Heard you might need backup tonight. What is going on?"
I called him. "Hayes is having a meeting with his organization. He is bringing Caitlyn with him, I think he is planning to kill her."
"Then we call in a raid," Jenkins said. "Get a warrant and hit the meeting with the full force."
"We do not have time for a warrant," I said. "And most of the force is on Hayes' payroll anyway. They would tip him off before we got there."
"So what is the plan?" Jenkins asked.
"I am working with Jason Cross and his crew," I said. "We are going to extract Caitlyn by force if necessary."
"That is insane," Jenkins said. "You are talking about assaulting a room full of armed criminals. You will get killed."
"Maybe," I admitted. "But if we do nothing, Caitlyn will definitely get killed. I am not letting that happen."
"This is your career on the line," Jenkins warned.
"I know," I said. "But some things are more important than careers."
My phone buzzed with another call. It was my contact.
"I got the location," he said. "It’s a warehouse on the east side, near the docks. The meeting starts at eight."
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Positive," he said. "I just saw the address sent out to all the members."
I checked my watch. It was seven thirty, which gave me thirty minutes to get to the warehouse and coordinate with Jason.
"Thanks," I said. "I will get you the money tomorrow."
I hung up and texted Jason the address. Then I called him.
"I got the location," I said. "Warehouse on the east side near the docks."
"I know the place," Jason said. "How many men does Hayes usually have at these meetings?"
"At least thirty," I said. "Plus security. We are looking at maybe fifty armed men total."
"And you want me to raid that with my crew?" Jason asked.
"Do you have a better idea?" I asked.
"No," Jason admitted. "But we are going to need a strategy, we cannot just ride in guns blazing."
"I know," I said. "Meet me two blocks from the warehouse. We will plan the approach together."
"On my way," Jason said and hung up.
I drove toward the east side. My mind was racing with all the ways this could go wrong. We were outnumbered, outgunned, and walking into a building full of people who would not hesitate to kill us.
But we did not have a choice. Caitlyn was in danger and we were the only ones who could save her.
I thought about the recordings I had heard of her. The fear in her voice, the desperation. She had risked everything to help me build a case against Hayes. Now it was my turn to risk everything to save her.
When I arrived at the warehouse district I parked two blocks away like I told Jason. A few minutes later, I heard motorcycles, and his crew pulled up.
Jason got off his bike and walked over to my car. He was wearing his leather jacket with the gang insignia. Had a gun visible on his hip.
"This is the place?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said. "Hayes and his organization are inside, along with Caitlyn."
"How do we get her out?" Jason asked.
"I have been thinking about that," I said. "We need a distraction. Something that will cause chaos and confusion, then while everyone is distracted we grab Caitlyn and run."
"What kind of distraction?" Jason asked.
"You and your crew," I said. "Loud. Aggressive. Make them think you are there to attack Hayes. While they focus on you I will slip in the back and find Caitlyn."
"So I am the bait," Jason said.
"Essentially yes," I admitted.
"Fine," Jason said. "But if this goes wrong and Caitlyn gets hurt I am holding you responsible."
"If this goes wrong we will all probably be dead," I said. "But I am willing to take that risk. Are you?"
Jason looked at the warehouse. Then he looked back at me. "For Caitlyn and my kid? Yeah. I am willing to take that risk."
"Good," I said. "Then let us go get her."