Page 115 of No Regrets

“Not exactly. He tried to run, took a cyanide pill. We’re standing over a dead body.”

There was a pause before Sam answered, “I’ll handle it. Search him and the apartment for anything useful. If local PD get there before me, show them your ID and play nice. I’m on my way.”

“Roger that. Ryan, go get anything useful from the apartment. Steve, Donnie, stay out of sight, no point all of us getting caught up in this.”

“You realize what this means right?” Tyler said.

“Yeah, it means this guy is a pawn in something bigger, and whoever is behind this won’t be done yet.” Dex rolled Rashid onto his back searching his pockets and finding a cellphone. Taking his own phone out, he took a picture of him.

“Holy shit!”

“What?” Tyler asked.

Dex tapped his coms so the rest of the team and Sam could hear. “Rashid. I know him. He’s the kid that delivers the free newspapers.” Damn, he knew he’d recognized him from somewhere.

“You’re shitting me.” Sam cursed.

“Wish I was. The little fucker.” Sirens blared, getting closer.

“OK. Get rid of your coms and remember, play nice.”

Ryan had grabbed a laptop and some other stuff from the apartment and shoved it in their SUV just as the cops arrived. Dex had his ID out and the team held up their hands. The uniformed officer showed the ID to an older bald man in a suit.

“Take their guns and cuff their hands behind their backs,” the suit said.

The team co-operated fully, keeping their mouths shut.

“Care to explain what you Navy boys are doing here?” the suit asked Dex.

“I think you’re about to find out.”

Sam was walking toward them, phone to his ear.

“Are you Detective Davis?” Sam asked, covering the mouthpiece of his phone.

“Yes.” The man turned, arched his eyebrow. “Who’s asking?”

Sam held out the phone. “This call’s for you.” They all waited while the detective listened.

“I understand, sir,” he said before passing the phone back to Sam.

“If you wouldn’t mind.” Sam nodded at the team.

Dex wasn't sure if it was anger or disgust that he saw on the detective’s face and he couldn’t give a damn.

The detective spat toward a uniformed officer, “Uncuff them and return their weapons.” His face was pinched with disgust before he walked away.

“Wow, I like your friends, Sam. Who was on the phone?” Ryan asked.

“Someone you’ll meet fairly soon. Let’s get outta here.”

Back at the farm, Sam and the team stood around Bertha, grim expressions on their faces. Sam pushed two pieces of paper across to Dex. He recognized the writing at once.

Tick tock, Tick Tock. One read.

It’s time. The other.

“Just the two?”