The Price Of Justice

Chapter Twenty-two

My phone ringing broke into my tormented thoughts. I glanced toward the screen. Kyle. An uneasy feeling pressed against my chest. Why would he be calling again? "Please don't let them be in trouble." I said under my breath as I answered.

I flinched the second I held the phone to my ear. Sounds of fists striking flesh cracked across the line. That couldn't be good. Seconds later, I heard Kyle try to speak, only to have the breath knocked out of him. Clearly my coworkers weren't faring well at the moment.

Dropping my phone into my lap, I floored the gas pedal and did an U turn. Whatever had happened in the past few minutes, if Ryan and Kyle didn't get the upper hand or backup didn't arrive soon... I could hardly stand to think of what could happen to them. The highway patrol could lose two Rangers in under twenty minutes.

I was determined to see to it that didn't happen.

The landscape flashed by. I flinched each time I heard one of my coworkers take a hit, knowing all too well how bad it hurt. "Hang on, boys." I whispered, my sirens on and lights flashing. "I'm almost there." I forced herself to put my phone on speaker and listen, a knife wrenching into my heart with each blow. If Kyle had called me on purpose, maybe he would say something to help me determine what course of action to take when I got there.

With each mile, I was more and more convinced that I would find at least one of their bodies when I arrived. This beating was getting more violent with every passing minute. I could not determine how many criminals there were, but it was obvious there were more killers then protectors in that building. Something that didn't exactly make me feel optimistic.

God, we're going to need more backup.

I hesitated a moment, then hung up the phone and dialed 911. I requested all available units and rattled off the address. By the time I hung up I was pulling down the winding gravel road leading to the plant. Seconds later, the building emerged. Blocking the exit as best I could, I slid to the ground, gently closing my door to avoid making too much noise.

I moved silently to the side of the building, my back pressed against the wall. I shivered. This felt all too familar. Inside, I could already hear the fight my coworkers were definitely losing. I had to do something before somebody got killed.

Carefully, I jumped onto a worn loading dock and opened the door. Storage shelves blocked my view of the room. I listened, my finger playing on the triggerguard. Sure enough, cursing and shouting soon filled the quiet room. That definitely wasn't Kyle or Ryan. Ryan abhored foul language and Kyle had threatened to wash my mouth out with soap a couple of times.

I moved behind the shelves and peered through the small openings. My stomach clenched. Kyle lay unconscious or dead on the ground and Ryan wasn't far from the same. There was no time to wait for backup. Those two were dead for sure if I didn't do something.

I soundlessly stepped from behind the shelf, eyes scanning the interior of the building. Only two criminals were in sight. If I played my cards right maybe I could take care of them without using my gun.

That was a big maybe.

I lightly glided across the building. Firearm raised and senses on high alert, I made my way nearer the criminals. They were now kicking Ryan in the stomach, each blow landing with a sickening thud.

I got as near as possible, my finger on the trigger. It was then I locked eyes with Ryan. I held a finger to my lips, indicating for him to remain silent. Immediately his gaze flickered away in an effort to keep the men from looking my way. I took a couple steps nearer. A quick glance toward Kyle confirmed he was still breathing, but barely.