ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON SIX

Episode 24

At seven PM the kidnapper made his next call to Richard. He told Richard to come alone to the old abandoned shopping mall on the outskirts of Prince George's County. Cedars Shopping Plaza. It was currently empty and decaying while awaiting demolition in two weeks so that an upscale gated  condo development could be built. He told him to come alone. He warned him if he saw anyone other than Richard that he would kill Nigel right in front of his eyes. Richard agreed to all details and immediately got into his car for the longest and most lonely drive of his entire life.

Once there the kidnapper texted him to come inside and go to the center of the falling apart ancient mall.

When he did he saw Nigel kneeling on the hard concrete floor and his heart dropped at the sight of him gagged and bound. Lonnie was standing directly behind him with a gun pointed at his head. Nigel begged him through his remaining eye to run. Richard wanted to tell him he wasn't going anywhere without him but he addressed Lonnie Hawkins instead. He held up the briefcase and opened it to showcase the neatly stacked cash.

" Here's your money. Let him go. Now. "

Lonnie laughed. " Good man. But one thing. He's not going anywhere. Neither are you. You should have listened to my old mate here. "

Lonnie stepped away from Nigel and moved slowly towards Richard who just stared at him coldly. " He was right. It's a trap. For you." He laughed even harder. " You see neither of you are leaving here alive. Or at all. You're going to die first. And Nigel here is going to watch it. Once he's finished boo hooing your great loss I'll kill him. It's all fair. All the clients he robbed me of. Even Jeremy. I'm going to enjoy this. "

Richard swallowed. He hoped this worked. He looked at Nigel who looked so sad and hopeless right now. It was ok , he wanted to tell him.

He said sharply," I don't think so. "

Lonnie pointed the gun at him. " And why not? You think your money makes you indestructible to death or something? Nothing will stop me. "

Suddenly from the deep darkened shadows of the deserted shopping center came the tall lean figure of Detective Faith Lane who stepped behind Lonnie and put her own service revolver against the back of his head.

" Drop the gun, asshole, or I'll air out what's left of your brains ," Faith demanded briskly without even a tremble to her words.

Lonnie shook his head. " Fuck you. I'll still kill him. "

Faith snapped," You do and I'll kill you. Drop the gun.  Now. Decide how lucky you feel. "

Lonnie was quiet for a long time. Then he thought that he had never really been lucky.

Not like Nigel Hawthorne -Cyrus.

He suddenly turned around and pointed the gun at Nigel, ready to pull the trigger. Richard started to run and jumped on top of Nigel just as Faith pulled her trigger.

Lonnie's body jerked rapidly and shook as he dropped his gun and fell down to the ground.

Faith bent down and checked for a pulse on the unconscious man. She shook her head at Richard and Nigel. " He's dead. "

She shook her head again. Looked like another IAB grilling for her. Her lieutenant would love this. Oh well, she thought as she watched Richard quickly untying Nigel , it was worth it.

Faith grinned at Nigel. " So I am really forgiven for laughing at your face now right? "

Nigel laughed as he leaned against Richard. " Forgiven ? We'll name our first born child after you. Thank you. "

Richard smiled. " Yes. Thank you. "

Faith smiled back. " I aim to please. "

Then she called 911.