"Dad I'm so glad you made it, I'm sure by now you've met John, Carter and Chase, have Art and Madeline been over yet?" Dad inquired of Grampa.
"Yes to the first and no to the second, but I'm told they'll be over soon, How are you doing son? Has the new job captured your interest?" Grampa asked.
"The new job is great and we're making progress on a very tricky case. But we're just barely ahead of the media people, in fact one contacted me about it this morning," Dad said.
"Well you can tell me more about that when we have some private time," Grampa suggested.
"Yes, I think that would be best. Would you like a glass of single malt?"
"Perhaps later, I don't think the wee ones are done with me, tell me more about our little John," Grampa urged Dad.
Dad explained the circumstances that caused John to be alone and how he and Mom had decided to open our home to him. He went on to explain about finding where he had been living with his aunt and how all that had led to his current employment. After an hour of details Grampa was ready for a glass of Glen Fiddich.
After a while Art and Madeline arrived and Grampa greeted her cordially.
"Well now I know where Art gets his stature from, you are truly the largest man I've ever met," Madeline stated.
"Well, his genes have been polluted by his grandmother's Campbell blood. Our line is mostly landsmen and farmers whilst Campbells were shopkeepers and publicans. But it's just as well I suppose, with the size of cars and airplane seats shrinking as they are, I have to fly first class and rent a pickup to drive. Did you know they had me down for a bloody Prius at Seatac. I had reserved an SUV or a pickup full size mind, and they tried to shoehorn me into that little crapwagon. The agent made a few frantic calls and found me a big Dodge diesel from Penske and took me to the counter away from the airport. It's not much different from my own truck," Grampa laughed.
"Well you would have looked like you were wearing a Prius, I don't care for them myself. The drivers tend to be self-absorbed idiots. I'll keep my old Outback thank you. Other Subby owners wave at you when you pass," Madeline related with pride.
"Well, I can see you're well matched and I wish you all the happiness in the world, or am I jumping the gun?" Grampa asked the last somewhat sheepishly.
"Well we haven't set a date but we have a working agreement. We need to visit my parents and let them know what's up and then we can set the date and make announcements," Madeline grinned.
"I believe a toast is in order. Etienne, come help me with the champagne please," Dad requested.
I rose and left Chase on the loveseat.
"Do you think Jeff would object to Chase having a glass?" Dad asked.
"I wouldn't think so. They drink wine at dinner on occasion, he's still at work but I could call him," I suggested.
"Why don't you give him a call, he might be on his way home by now," Dad suggested, "I'll get a couple of bottles of the Louis Roederer I still have a case and a half from the Loutre's generous gift. That was a wonderful two weeks wasn't it?" Dad smiled as he went down the steps.
My maternal relatives had come for a visit one summer and Mom and dad were determined to show them the same hospitality that we had received in Bretagne two years earlier. It had been well received and the two cases of champagne were a thankyou gift. Louis Roederer is a very expensive wine in the US and not exactly cheap in France.
"Hi Jeff, are you on your way home?" I asked.
"Yes, I'm on Fauntleroy now just getting ready to turn. What's up Etienne?" He asked.
Well we're having a celebration and Dad wanted to know if Chase could have a glass of Champagne, but if you're close perhaps you would join us too," I suggested.
"Absolutely, he's accustomed to drinking wine and I'll be there shortly, I wouldn't mind a glass myself and to add my good wishes to whatever the celebration might be, see you in a few minutes," Jeff replied and disconnected.
"I forgot that they were magnums, so we'll only open the second if we need it. I can't have more than one glass, I might have to drive later. So if you'll pull down the flutes I'll open the magnum," Dad said cheerfully.
"Jeff said he'd be here in a few minutes and Chase was okay for champagne," I relayed to Dad.
"Can you handle the glasses okay? I think we'll just pour the wine in the living room, neither of us are skilled with trays full of sloshing stemware," Dad suggested.
"If you'll hold open the door I've got it Dad," I assured.
The bell rang and I asked Chase to let his dad in.
Dad poured the champagne and we distributed glasses as our family and guests stood. Dad began to speak.
"I make no distinction between friends and family at this gathering, our eldest son Art and the lovely Madeline have decided that they can be stronger as husband and wife than by their own separate efforts, So I propose a toast, To the betrothed!"
We all raised our glasses clinking gently and speaking the toast "To the betrothed."
We all sipped the champagne and I was reminded how good this particular champagne tasted.
Art stood again and proposed a toast to Madeline for rescuing him from a wretched existence as a Batchelor.
"To Madeline!" he proclaimed and we all repeated the toast and touched glasses.
We drank another toast to family in which Grampa included Chase, Carter and Jeff and the toasting was done.
"That has got to be the best champagne I've ever tasted. Is it Moet or maybe Veuve Clicquot ?" Jeff asked.
"Um no, it's Louis Roederer 95 it was an exceptionally tasty year," Dad said.
"Oh my lord, I'm dumbfounded. It's like drinking liquid gold," Jeff said trying not to point out that a magnum ran near five hundred dollars.
"The wine was a gift from Minnie's relatives to say thank you for putting them up for two weeks when their hotel reservations fell through. They were an entertaining bunch and very pleasant company. Art was at school but Etienne had a ball with the kids, introducing them to American kids and translating for them. His friends helped them learn to surf and they had a most wonderful stay. It's not what we'll be serving at the reception mind you, but it was appropriate for this celebration," Dad explained.
"Thank you for including us, we are honored. Our sons have all bonded and I feel close to all of you, again thank you," Jeff said eloquently.
Chase hugged his dad and sat beside him on a sofa. I crossed to the piano in response to Mom's gentle nudges.
I started with Brahms and then Schuman's Kinderszenen, I didn't want anything depressing although Die Traumerei is often interpreted that way.
Madeline stood behind me absorbing the music. I had a minor buzz from the champagne and I suspect she did too. She urged me to liven things up a bit so Otis Spann's Otis in the dark sprang to mind and I was off the reservation. Mom pulled Dad up off his chair and commanded him to dance. After that it was the Boogie Woogie Stomp which was loud enough to bring John and Carter down from their naps. We watched as they danced in socks and undies and had a blast as only the completely free can.
I asked if Madeline would like to take over but she decided that she was unready.
Mom asked if Jeff would join us for dinner since Janisse was away with her mother. It didn't take much arm twisting.
Mom had a large duck a l'orange prepared and it was nearly done.
Chase and I took our brothers upstairs to get them bathed and dressed. They were still in a dancing mood in the tub so it was messier than usual but we got them scrubbed and dressed. I put their favorite Blueray in the machine and they watched Minions while Chase and I got scrubbed. After all the riding and the champagne I knew the dinner would do us in and it did, Mom nudged us where we had expired on the sofa. She had already seen to John and Carter, they were sound asleep. Chase and I struggled up the stairs under Grampa's watchful eye and he tucked us in and kissed us goodnight and then went to check on the two little guys.
After we were out of the way, Dad and Grampa went to Dad's study where dad outlined the serial case he had going and warned that it might break loose that night.
If you'd like to come along you'd be welcome. I think you'd be impressed by my crew," Dad invited.
"Will I need my sidearm?" Grampa asked.
"I doubt it, I'll get a call when our subject is on the move and the team will do the takedown. The scene is in a county area and uniforms will lock down the scene and the area around it. SPD will be there too," Dad explained.
"Good, it's a pain in the butt when I don't have my rig," Grampa remarked. I do have my jacket with a panel on the back. Not too specific, it just reads Sheriff's Dept."
"Bring that, it will help separate you from media slipping under the tape, I'll introduce you once the dust settles." Dad agreed.
Around one a.m. I heard shoes in the hall and then the kitchen door closed. Dad's Durango started up and he left the driveway moving fast.
******
"Okay Herb, I'm on the road, are we all set to make the takedown on our chosen ground?" Mike asked.
"As long as she doesn't deviate and take another way in, either way we can still keep her isolated from her destination."
An hour and a half earlier Marina Hobart had concluded her shift on the Bainbridge to Seattle ferry. She hopped on the trail bike and scooted away from the parking lot and drove straight to the van. Dennis had confirmed she was back in the same male disguise she wore when she stole the van. With redundant tracking units under the van location was not difficult. She was currently cruising 1st avenue south looking for a target.
"There was a digital chirp on Mikes radio indicating encrypted traffic. "Okay people heads up, she's got a female in the passenger seat. Let's not screw this up by getting too close. Keep your parallels and stay low," Herb announced.
She's turning right on Battery towards Denny way boss," another voice reported, tracking is still working."
Okay people be alert she'll probably turn at Fairview and cut over to Pontius. It dead ends into the City Light substation. Dennis, are you on top of the site? Herb asked.
"You betcha' boss, and the marked units are staged at this end and there's one TV van just hanging out," Dennis reported.
"Don't sweat the reporter, she was invited," Herb answered.
"I don't know what they need me for, but here I am," Mike chuckled to his dad.
"Is the warrant team in place at the suspects res?" Mike asked.
"Affirmative, as soon as we get the suspect stopped they'll pop the front door," Herb answered.
"Have the entry team look through the mail slot with a camera and a light, I think she's savvy enough to rig something unpleasant for unwanted visitors," Mike insisted.
"Okay Mike, Team three, did you copy that?" Herb inquired.
"Roger sir, we're preparing the camera now,"
It was quiet for a long moment, Good call boss, there's a twelve gauge AK auto shotgun with a large magazine attached. Maybe she's expecting us," The team three leader reported.
"Roger, find a better entry point and look for wires and other triggers," Mike instructed.
"Roger sir, and thanks."
"Good call Mike, I'm glad you showed up to the party," Herb said.
"How could I miss it, I sent out the invitations, Mike chuckled.
"That was a pretty good hunch son, you headed off disaster there. What's this about a TV truck being invited?" Caelan asked.
"I promised her first shot , she agreed not to stir up the media hacks from the networks. She had figured out there was a serial case working and rather than just run with it she contacted me and agreed to act responsibly. She knows which side her bread is buttered on. Better I cut her in at the kill than have her spook our suspect with a premature report. That would have had every talking head on TV choking our lobby and impeding the investigation. I think it was a good deal for both of us," Mike explained. Oh and Frank said she was a square shooter with a good record with the bureau."
"I'm sold, I guess it's wait and see time now son," Caelan replied.
"She just turned on Fairview. First five stay with her second five block the road and sidewalks. Give the uniforms the signal," Herb commanded. Passenger is black female approximately thirty, if she gets free get her under cover.
Mike came around the corner as the patrol vehicles advanced with their light bars on. He stopped behind the solid wall of undercover vehicles that were spread out across the street and on the sidewalks.
"Passenger just punched the suspect and is out of the van running towards the marked units," an unidentified voice reported. "Okay, she's clear and in custody."
Marina Hobart sat in the stolen van with a grimace of hate on her face. She could see at least four M-4's pointed at the windshield and it looked very much like she had a broken nose. After what seemed like an eternity, she shut off the van, killed the lights and put her hands out of the window as ordered by the deputies.
Two minutes after that Herb announced suspect in custody.
"Entry effected, no resistance and no other devices," announced team three.
Mike grinned at Caelan, "couldn't ask for a better result, no shots, all my crew go home healthy tonight, well this morning. We'll be doing paperwork all night."
"Good work Herb, who's transporting Marina to the station?
"Um, Jack Maloney, Alicia grimes and Carey Chelsea, I wanted women officers handy, she won't have any privacy until she's booked in at the jail," Herb replied.
"Outstanding job lieutenant, let's go smile for Tawny while Scott makes his way here," Mike suggested.
"Okay, small price to pay for keeping her quiet, wait�did you just call me Lieutenant?"
"I did, any objections? I hope not, You and Enright will have your hands full and Frank has agreed to be my Captain," Mike grinned.
"But what about you, are you moving on?" Herb asked in near panic.
"I have no plans to do that, the bureau is required to be run by a major. I have to accept a third star or resign. And I'm not resigning."
Tawny and her camera operator walked up and asked where they could set up.
"Let's do it over by the suspects van, she painted over the logo so it won't cause the real owner any distress," Mike suggested.
"That's very considerate of you Mike. I presume it's going to the lab on a flatbed tonight?" Tawny asked.
"Exactly, so I'll give your audience a brief synopsis and then introduce Lieutenant Talbert and Lieutenant Foyle. They can give you the details that we're willing to release. Fair enough?" Mike asked.
Sounds good to me, and thanks for the call and letting the uniforms know I was supposed to be here.
The lights went on and Tawny introduced herself and then Mike to the audience.
"Captain, when did you know you had a serial case on your hands?" Tawny asked.
"About the second day on the job actually," then Mike explained how the case had been spread out over several counties and how it involved the ferry service. He told her that he was pleased to announce that the night's potential victim was unharmed and being interviewed. "For more details I will turn you over to the men who led the investigation from day one," that was Mike's cue to introduce Herb and Frank. Mike stepped back and Herb and Frank stepped forward. Scott walked up and stood with Mike while Herb was giving the basic outline of the case and then Frank filled in the logistics and resources used in the investigation.
When they were done Tawny asked Scott if he had anything to add.
Scott walked forward and began to speak. "I can't begin to say how well the job was done by this team. Our Homicide bureau has taken some lumps lately but we're on the road back to a fully competent team of detectives. They have the finest forensic support in the northwest and under the leadership of soon to be Major MacGregor it will become even more so. This case is an example of what a well-organized and motivated team of detectives can do with the proper support," Scott lauded.
And that was it, Tawny was happy for now and Mike promised her a good position for the news conference that would be held after Marina Hobart was charged.
"So who is this?" Scott asked pointing at Caelan.
"This is my father Caelan Mac Gregor, he's a deputy in Nebraska and he was handy when I got the call," Mike replied.
"Nice to meet you Caelan, I'm Scott Sommers the undersheriff here. In about a week your son will receive his new stars and will serve as a Major in charge of our detective bureau. Can you stay in town for that?" Scott asked.
"I was planning to, I have a new grandson to spoil and several old friends in the area. I'll keep the day open as soon as I know the date," Caelan replied. "I'll even get someone to send my dress uniform out if you'd like."
"That would be outstanding sir, and it will look good on camera," Scott grinned.
"Thanks Dad, I'd be honored if you attended the ceremony," Mike agreed.
"Don't forget the dinner afterward, we'll want the whole family for that, Scott advised.
"You got it boss, let's let Herb's crew and the evidence guys do their jobs and go do a preliminary interview with Ms. Hobart. I'll want a departmental psychologist on hand for any further interviews but I want to be in on the first contact session," Mike suggested.
"Um sir?" A uniformed deputy said. We're about to transport the victim, she says her purse is still in the van and she'd like to have it. Is that okay with you?"
"Sure, come with me, and we'll see if we can retrieve it," Mike instructed.
Mike waved over an evidence tech and asked him to cut the seal on the passengers door and open the van. A small purse was in the well of the door and Mike asked the tech to check inside for weapons and drugs. It was clean and the woman's ID was clearly visible. "Okay, as long as it's clean you can give it to her, it's not evidence of anything but kidnapping and assault. We'll get her statement and turn her loose, unless she has warrants," Mike explained.
"Ms. Carstairs has been very cooperative with us so I thought I'd ask," The deputy added.
"Good call, let's get her to the bureau so we can get a statement. Thanks for your good judgement," Mike smiled.
As the deputy walked back to his unit, someone yelled "Wilson, that purse doesn't go match your shoes!" Deputy Wilson laughed but kept walking.
Okay guys, we should start clearing the street, we need to make room for the flatbed and I want to be gone before the TV vans descend like vultures on a roadside rabbit," Mike encouraged.
"See you back at the bureau," Scott advised and walked to his Durango.
That freed Mike's Durango to back out and turnaround. He told Herb he was headed to the office and Herb indicated he would go check on the entry team to see what they had turned up.
"Sounds good, don't be too long, I want you in the room when we talk to Marina, Mike cautioned.
"Okay Mike, I just want to see how it's going and apologize to the neighbors. They've been pretty patient," Herb replied.
"Okay, see you back at the ranch Lieutenant," Mike grinned.
Herb shook his head and walked to his county Focus.