Chapter Eight: Confrontation

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The next morning I got up at eight am, showered, and took my time getting dressed and making sure I had everything I needed for the press conference. I was downstairs and eating breakfast by 10:30; the rest of the team joined me shortly after. Agent Wood gave a quick re-briefing and asked if we had any questions. No one did.

"Remember," I said. "This man is going to be very emotionally and mentally unstable. He will not likely listen to reason. When you see him, sneak up and make the arrest. He will be armed and dangerous, so the element of surprise is key to successfully carrying out this mission. As soon as he makes any move to attack, you take him out as fast as possible. We have little room for mistakes."

"Amen to that," Agent Wood agreed. He checked his watch; 11:15. "Let's do this."

The eight of us piled back into the two SUVs. The four of us on foot were dropped off next to the steps in front of City Hall. From there, Cameron and I climbed the steps while Agents Gray and Yates split up and merged with the crowd of reporters and civilians. Cameron and I introduced ourselves to the police near the podium and told them everything they needed to know. By noon everyone was in place; and Senator Lerner walked out of the building, her protective detail practically surrounding her. She strode to the podium, radiating confidence. I admired that; if I were in her shoes, I'd be shaking. The reporters below her swarmed towards the stairs, taking photos, raising microphones, and pulling out notepads to take notes.

"Citizens of the great state of Connecticut," she began, her voice booming over the speakers set up around the plaza. "I am here today to applaud the great work done by the people working for the Department of Parks and Recreation..."

Her voice faded to the background as I scanned the crowd for Bruce McCarthy. No more than 50 people, excluding the police, were crowded into one section of the plaza. Most of them were reporters, but a few civilians made up the back of the crowd. Subtly, I checked my pockets and holster for my gun and handcuffs; and my torso for the bulletproof vest that I know I had put on upon arrival to the plaza, I was just double-checking. I focused some of my attention back to the words of the Senator.

"...and with the safety of our children in mind," She continued. "Our playgrounds remain in peak condition; and—"

"ARE THEY REALLY?!" A voice hollered from the opposite side of the stage. Gasps came from the crowd as heads turned towards it. Standing there was Bruce McCarthy, his face red and blotchy. He was aiming a gun directly at the Senator. Cameron, who was closest to him, took action.

"Gun!" He yelled; and ran towards McCarthy with his own gun out. McCarthy didn't hesitate and before anyone else could move Cameron was on the floor having taken a bullet to the torso. Seconds later I heard a loud bang and McCarthy was down with a bullet in his head. Agent Gray ran up the stairs, putting his gun back in the holster as he did so. Senator Lerner's protective detail rushed her away from the scene; passing me as I ran towards Cameron, who was still lying on his back. I dropped to my knees beside him. He was just... staring at the sky. When he saw me, he grinned.

"Man, I love Kevlar," He said, wincing as he laughed. "Did I get him?"

I gave a sigh of relief. "No. You didn't even fire your weapon."

"Son of a—"

"Gray got him in the head."

"Oh."

I could tell Cameron would've preferred McCarthy lived and have gone to jail. "It was bound to happen," I said in an attempt to comfort him. "At this point, that man had nothing to lose but his freedom and his life."

Cameron made a face and sat up, which made him wince again. I helped him to his feet and over to an ambulance nearby.

"This isn't necessary," He complained as I had him sit down in the open back of the vehicle. "I'm alive."

"You got shot."

He pointed to his vest indignantly. "Uh, hello?"

"That vest doesn't save you from bruising."

"Whatever, help me take it off."

I undid the Velcro on the sides of Cameron's vest and helped him pull it over his head. The rest of the team made their way over to us as a paramedic began to examine Cameron for any injuries.

"Senator Lerner is immensely grateful for our help," Agent Wood said to us. "Thank you all for making this work. And Yara, thank you for all of your help. We wouldn't have been able to do all of this without your expert advice."

I blushed a little. "It was no problem at all, thank you for having me."

Once Cameron was cleared by the paramedic, we took the two cars back to the hotel, got our things, and headed back to the private jet. We landed at the airstrip near Quantico an hour later. As we left the plane, I said my final goodbyes to the team.

"Feel free to call for a consult anytime," I said after shaking their hands, "Even if the case isn't that hard. I like America."

They smiled and said goodbye as they walked to their cars, but Cameron stayed behind.

"One more ride, for old time's sake?" He asked

"You act like I've known you for more than two days."

"We're friendly, aren't we? You seemed pretty concerned when I got hit."

I smiled. "Whatever. I'll take the ride."

We got in his car and drove back to the hotel. When we arrived, he offered to drive me to the airport the next day. I accepted the offer and went inside, savoring my last evening in America. That night, once I had packed my things, I took a moment to stare out the window in my hotel room. It wasn't the prettiest view; but the mountains in the distance, representatives of the vastness that this country held just out of my reach, made me smile. Even if I hadn't seen all of the United States on this trip, I'd seen enough to know what a beautiful country it is. I went to sleep peacefully, knowing I had the honor of residing within America's borders.

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