Julie Garwood - Mercy

Detective Harris stepped out of the alcove that led to the elevator. She turned away from him and headed toward the waiting room.

She wasn't wearing sensible shoes today. She was moving fast, the way most overworked policemen instinctively do because they are always behind, and her heels clicked against the linoleum floor like castanets.

Theo walked forward as he called out to her. "Hey, Detective, are you looking for me?"

She had almost reached the waiting room. Startled, she whirled around as she shoved her hand into her pocket, and then smiled. "Where did you come from?"

Noah stepped into the hall behind Harris as she hurried toward Theo.

"Surgery," he answered. "I'll be right with you. I've just one quick call to make." He turned to the wall phone next to him, picked it up, dialed the operator, and spoke in a low voice. Then he hung up and smiled again.

"How'd you know I was here?"

"I'm a detective. I know how to find people." Then she laughed. "A man at The Swan told me you were here and Admitting told me you were on this floor. It didn't take much investigative work. I'm a little late. It's been more than twelve hours, but I got detained. I did keep my word, though."

"I didn't think you'd show. I'm impressed."

"I've got copies of the papers from that package, which I'm letting you read out of the goodness of my heart," she said. "Just remember, it's my investigation," she added quickly.

"I won't touch it," he promised. "So where are the files on Monk?"

"I guess you didn't believe me when I said I'd spent three years chasing the ghost. I've got two huge cardboard file boxes in the trunk. It's going to take you a couple of weeks to go through all of it."

"You trying to make me sorry I asked for them?"

"Of course." She visibly shivered. "God, it's cold up here. It's like a tomb. So what do you want to do?" she asked. "Transfer the boxes to your car now, or do you want me to drop them off someplace?"

"We could transfer them now. I could start looking through them tonight."

"Whatever you want."

"Did you make any arrests yet?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly. The question obviously irritated her. "Not yet," she said sharply. "He got away. He does it to me

every damned time. Vanishes into thin air. We tracked him to a motel in St. Claire. We surrounded it, and then we closed in. His car was there, parked right in front of his door, but he was gone. He had to leave fast, though. He didn't have time to pack his equipment or his clothes before he took off. I'm hoping my people will get lucky this time and find a print. They're working on it now."

"Think I could drive over and take a look?"

"Sure, as along as you don't interfere."

"I already promised I wouldn't."

"Okay," she said. "You can look. It's the St. Claire Motel, on Fourth and Summit."

She pushed the button for the elevator and waited. Looking up, she saw the number four was lit. They waited side by side for several seconds. She punched the button again.

Impatient now, she said, "Let's take the stairs. It's quicker, and I want to get back to New Orleans."

"Hot date?"

"How'd you know?"

"Just a guess. It's gonna be late by the time you drive back."

She glanced up at the numbers again. The light was still on four. "New Orleans doesn't sleep. The Quarter will be buzzing when I get there." Theo stepped away from her as she said, "Let's go."

Turning to take the lead, she suddenly stopped. Noah was standing in front of her, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Hello there," he said cheerfully.

"There you are," Theo said. "I'd like to introduce you to Detective Harris. Detective, this is Noah Clayborne," he said as he put his hand on her shoulder. "Noah works for the FBI, but he's also a good friend."

Theo stepped behind her as Noah said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Detective. I was just…"

Theo took another step back. "Hey, Dallas," he said.

She instinctively turned. Even as she did, she realized what had just happened. Her eyes widened and she jerked back, but it was too late. Theo shoved her into the elevator doors, face-first, making it impossible for her to fire the gun he knew she had hidden in her pocket.

Noah stepped forward, forced her arm back and up into an unnatural position, then struck her wrist hard to get her to let go of the weapon. The gun dropped to the floor, and Theo kicked it away.

"Where are your friends?" Theo demanded. He slackened his hold so he could force her to turn around. She took advantage, and cursing, she whirled and tried to slam her knee into Noah's groin.

"Is that nice?" he asked as he dodged the knee. "Where are your friends?" He repeated Theo's question in a much more unfriendly tone.

She wasn't talking. Her lips pinched tight, her jaw clenched, she glared at Noah with loathing.

Theo looked up at the elevator numbers again. Still locked on four. "They're in the stairwells," he said. "They must have blocked the elevator so I'd have to take the steps. They may not know you're here."

"Do they?" Noah asked Dallas. His hand was around her neck, his thumb pressing into her flesh as he held her off the floor against the elevator.

She turned to the left and screamed at the top of her lungs, "Preston!" And then swinging to the right, "Monk! Now!"

Theo's fist silenced her. Her eyes closed instantly, and when Noah let go of her, she collapsed to the floor, unconscious. Noah tilted his head toward the hallway and whispered, "Get ready," as he quickly patted Dallas down for weapons. He found the Glock in its holster and removed it. He shoved her onto her back and was about to search for another weapon in an ankle strap under her slacks, when he heard the faint squeak of a door opening. He pointed toward the waiting room, indicating to Theo that that was where the sound had come from.

Theo had heard it. He nodded and took a step closer. Noah found the ankle strap, lifted the gun, and shoved it into the waistband of his jeans. He went back to the pockets in her jacket, pulled out four magazines, and stood. He moved quickly, silently to Theo's back. He shoved two of the magazines into Theo's back pockets, then handed him Harris's Glock so that he would have a weapon in each hand. Barrels pointed to the ceiling, they waited, hidden by the recess in front of the elevator doors.

Theo heard the soft click of a door closing. It came from the exit just beyond the waiting room. Monk. Then another click, at the opposite end of the hall by the OR doors. Preston had to be the man at the other end of the hall. Where was John? Was he in the elevator? Or was he in the stairwell?

He strained to hear footsteps. Nothing. Not a sound. Were they waiting for Noah and him to step out into the hall?

His heart was pounding in his ears; his breathing was harsh.

"Ambush," Noah whispered. "Let them come to us."

Theo shook his head. He didn't care that he was trapped. He couldn't wait. Wouldn't. The elevator was still locked on the fourth floor. There were two men waiting to blow them away, but these men wouldn't wait long, and if Michelle or one of the nurses came out to talk to the Watersons, they'd kill her.

"Michelle." He whispered her name. Noah nodded, letting him know he understood.

Theo tucked one of his guns under his arm, reached down, and grabbed one of Dallas's shoes. Then he threw it into the hallway. Preston immediately opened fire. Three shots. Then silence again.

They both heard the wail of sirens getting closer and closer. "Police?" Noah asked.

Theo nodded, letting him know he'd told the operator to call them, then whispered, "Can't wait," because he knew that Preston and Monk and John had also heard the sound. They might think the noise was from an ambulance, but they would still want to move quickly to get the job done. No, they wouldn't wait much longer. Theo took a step toward the hallway. Noah nudged him.