A Long Road to Redemption

Chapter 44

Shelia knew that being out here was dangerous at best. She followed up on a lead from an informant about a warehouse in the business district that was used to load illegal narcotics onto trucks. She cross-referenced the names, and sure enough, more than a couple of them led her right to Pierson's shipping business. It was nighttime, and she used the cover of darkness to slip into a spot unobserved near the warehouse in a small wooded area. She brought her camera, but as of yet, there was nothing to see. Taylor often told her that criminals did not usually keep regular hours, and now she knew what he meant.

She had been there over an hour and was ready to give it up for the night when a semi-truck pulled to the loading dock. Nothing too suspicious since trucks were loading and unloading all day and night. This one was different. The first man that came out was in what looked to her like a light brown uniform; no surprise there. However, the next two guys that came out carried what looked like automatic weapons. She couldn't be sure if they were automatic, but that would not matter if they spotted her.

Suddenly she heard voices behind her. She could not hear what they were saying but could tell they were getting closer. Quickly she got down behind a tree as the footsteps grew louder. "Yeah, I swear I thought I saw someone moving over here," she heard one of them say. She stayed still as humanly possible as the voices grew louder and slowly passed on. Relieved she wasn't seen, Shelia decided to snap some pictures and leave. She got her photos and quietly began to return to her car, which she had parked several feet away.

As she made her way out of the wooded area, she heard the voices grow louder again. Had they seen her after all? She'd made up a story about being a lost hiker, but she realized no one would believe her. She hid behind a small group of trees and then made a break for it, right into the arms of a large man not five feet from her. She tried not to scream, and since he put his hand over her mouth, it wouldn't have mattered anyway.

"Just what the hell are you doing here?" the man asked her as if he, too, was trying to keep his voice down.

"Look, you see, I was trying to find my way back to the interstate, and my car broke down. Roger, is that you?"

"Yes, it's me, but why are you here? You were supposed to stay away from the police work."

"Roger, I told you I can take care of myself. What are you doing here?"

"About to raid that warehouse. Those other voices you heard are some of my most trusted officers."

"God, Roger, you scared me to death. Why didn't you tell me you were raiding this place?"

"Because it's police business, that's why. Now stay here, or I'll have Murphy put you in the van."

His radio crackled to life, and the voice on the other end said, "We're in position. Will move on your mark."

Roger activated his radio, "Copy that we're almost in position. Wait for my signal." Taylor looked back at Shelia, "Stay here, I'll come get you when this is over." He made his way down to the front of the warehouse unseen. "Alright. Go." He said into his radio as the team started to move on their targets.

"Police department, everybody freeze," he said as he entered the building. Few of the men inside stayed put. One of the men with the automatic rifles opened fire just missing Roger. He let loose three shots, putting two into the man who fell in a heap on the floor. The other man armed with an automatic rifle ran square into an officer and never got a chance to fire his weapon. Those trying to escape out the back of the warehouse were cut off and caught without a struggle.

"Alright, round everyone up. Make sure to read them their rights," Roger said, going to a newly opened container. Inside were several boxes marked fragile. He opened one and found what looked like computer parts. He pulled more of them out, finding the same thing each time. A sense of doubt began to come over him until he looked at one of the twelve people in custody who had a nervous look on his face. That's when he saw the box that looked like it had been opened. He reached into the crate and picked it up. Sure enough, the weight of the package was off. He opened it and found a large bag containing a white powder.

"Get me a test kit," he said. The chemicals inside the kit turned a brilliant blue for cocaine. "Hot damn." Suddenly, he caught sight of a man hiding under a desk toward the back of the room. He walked over there, but clearly, the man was not trying to escape but cowering in fear. Taylor found the man visibly shaking under the desk, so he reached down and pulled him out and onto his feet.

"I want a lawyer'" the middle-aged, balding man said.

"Yeah, I bet you do, Mr. Gaddis. I bet you do."

Shelia waited just out of sight as the police processed the scene. Taylor came out after nearly an hour and found her impatiently waiting for news. He took her back to the car and told her what had taken place, and they caught an important target, although he didn't tell her who he was. Taylor was more excited than she had seen him in a long time. Roger Taylor was not a man who showed his emotions, but she knew him long enough to know when he was excited about something.

"Now, will you please let me handle this?" he asked her as they walked up to her car.

"I told you I can take care of myself, Roger. I don't need a babysitter."

"I know you can, but these are dangerous criminals. Hell, one of them took a shot at me tonight. I'm the cop, and you are the reporter. I promise to keep you in the loop."

Shelia fished for her keys and opened her car door when she found them. "No promises. What's the next move?" She could tell he was frustrated with her, but this was her best way to stay involved in the investigation. She smiled at him in that disarming way she did while they were dating all those years ago. Taylor shifted on his feet and exhaled a response.

"I have an interview with a witness to the Cooper murders tomorrow morning. You can tag along, but no names in the media. You got it?"

"Got it."

"Shelia, do you..."

"Do I what, Roger?"

"Well, I was going to ask if you wanted to get breakfast in the morning before we interview the witness."

"Are you asking me out, Roger?"

"I, uhm, I know we have to be there early, and uhm..."

"Yes, I will have breakfast with you."

"It's not a date. I just wanted to uhm..."

"Roger, you're blushing."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are. It's okay, Roger. Is that diner still open?"

"Yeah, I go there about once a month. Listen, I have to get back."

"Me too. In the morning?"

"In the morning."

Shelia got in her car and waved goodbye to him before driving off. He watched her drive away and shook his head. "Yeah, real smooth, Taylor," he said before returning to the warehouse.