Up For The Chase

Up For

The Chase

ANGEL B.

Copyright © 2014 ANGEL B.

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 10: 0988736047

ISBN-13: 978-0-9887360-4-7

This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Cover designed by Dynasty’s Cover Me Book Covers

www.dynastyscoverme.com

a note from the author

Dear Reader,

I hope you are enjoying reading about the Tase Men Series. I trust you can agree that they are an amazing group of handsome, professional, passionate, and most importantly, honest men. I felt that it was important to lift the stereotype of African American men, which is why I began writing uplifting and powerful stories portraying them in a positive manner.

Each member of the Tase family plays a significant role that binds the family together tightly. The love and trust they show each other comes without question, making them an unbreakable force to reckon with. These brothers have a story to tell and I'm hoping that you are ready to let me take your mind on a journey as they capture your heart and soul.

I love to hear from readers and I welcome your comments about the Tase family from Pennsylvania. Who do you want to hear about next? Who is your favorite character, and what do you like most about him? Send me an email and let me know at:

freeyormind31@aol.com

Until next time, Muah!

Angel B.

Prologue

The heat in the room was almost unbearable with the noon sun beaming directly on the side of the building trying desperately to break through the dark curtains hanging in the window. The humidity was stifling to the point of making a person feel like they were suffocating. However, the room's only occupant was used to this kind of temperature. His homeland was even hotter.

The sweat beaded on Silos Hamal’s face as he bent his head down in prayer asking Allah to forgive him for what he was about to do. He was a good man, and so was his little brother Amir, whom he’d promised his father he’d look after. But his father, Ibn Hamal, had been kidnapped by a man who is very dangerous. A man who now holds him for ransom. A ransom not paid only in money, but in servitude. A servitude that he and his younger brother have to pay for seven long years to a man named Al-Rasheem Omar.

Al-Rasheem Omar is the creator of a large band of men known as the Holy Land Union. He is what is called a lone wolf terrorist and has already been added to the terrorist watch list of many countries. He claims his structure has been set in motion only to purge, cease, and deter all foreign inhabitants from his homeland.

Since he is not a formal member of the Al-Qaeda or any group, he has to rely on his own to fund his operation. Kidnapping is how Al-Rasheem funds his organization, and now Silos and Amir must take instructions from this evil man in order to acquire the release of their father.

Silos and his men have been working for Al-Rasheem for almost three years now and all have done unthinkable things to have their loved ones returned to them. Desperation and fear of not seeing his father again caused Silos to become someone else. Someone horrible, cruel, cold, and heartless.

He couldn’t allow himself to care about the people he robbed and killed, and somehow he had acquired a liking for it. It didn’t bother him to see the people whom he tortured and murdered cry out in pain, and he couldn’t let it matter to him, for it was all a means to an end. He had to do what was needed for another four years before he could allow himself to feel again. He had to stay hard and ruthless. He couldn’t let anyone stand in his way. Not even his religious beliefs that he sometimes felt slipping away.

Sir, I’m sorry to disturb you, but we are ready to engage, said Nuri.

Nuri was in the same position as Silos and Amir. He was in servitude to get his daughters back. No one knew how much time he had left to serve Al-Rasheem, and no one cared to ask. They were too busy counting their own years.

Silos kept his head bowed a few moments longer before he lifted his eyes to meet Nuri’s. The thin man stood by with his wire rim glasses holding his always-present laptop in his hands. My brother? questioned Silos.

He’s with Bashna as you requested.

Silos nodded and then stood. The room that they were in was located above a small bakery with a single window. It had only the necessary needs available: a bed and a bathroom. Nothing else had been needed.

Silos peeked out of the window, being careful not to move the curtains. He had made a practice of doing all his missions with their faces covered. No one knew what he or any member of his team looked like. It was the only way that he and his brother could rejoin the world without being carted off to prison.

This is a beautiful place Nuri. Maybe one day I will return to visit as a tourist.

Nuri watched Silos and wondered at his hesitation. Is that the reason you didn’t want us to destroy the actual structure?

Partly. Mostly because these people have done me no harm and I do not wish to hurt more than I need to. Silos looked back over his shoulder to Nuri. I am not an evil man Nuri. I do not enjoy what I do, but I do it because I must. You of all people should understand that.

Nuri stared deeply into the young man’s eyes and saw the pain that mirrored his own. I understand Silos. We must do what we must, he repeated softly.

Yes, Silos said as he released a deep breath. What we must. He grabbed his hat from the bed and pulled it down low over his eyes. When Nuri held out the white mask with black stripes, he took it and shoved it into his pocket. Let’s get this done.

****

The Coliseum in Rome is an impressive structure which was built over 2,000 years ago to host legendary gladiator contests and other public spectacles. Although it has been partially destroyed through the years, many of the original outer walls and facade still stand tall today. Its impressive ruins have been preserved and are open to visitors from all over the world.

With many other important attractions in close proximity, such as the Borghese Gallery and the Capitoline Museums, security is always close by, ready to close off any exits to thieves. However, since there have never been any terrorist attacks, and the only crime stems from pickpockets and petty theft, the police have become too comfortable in their positions. They were not prepared for what was to come.

The ride through the city took less than fifteen minutes. During the ride Silos kept his eyes closed and prayed no one got seriously hurt. His men had secretly parked six cars surrounding the Coliseum, each holding enough plastic explosives to create a small explosion creating a decoy in the mass panic of the tourists.

Initiate the decoys Nuri.

Nuri made the call to one of their men, and soon one explosion after the other could be heard going off. Screams of people in pain, frightened, and confused could be heard through the thunderous roar as Silos and the rest of his men rode in the opposite direction.

He knew that the men who had detonated the bombs had merged with the running and screaming people disappearing into the throng of pandemonium. They would soon meet up at the designated vehicles and join them in pursuing their next mission. The plan was flawless.

Just as he predicted, the bombing attacks drew the attention of Interpol and local police to the area, leaving the rest of the city literally unprotected. While all the police would be busy investigating the attack, and trying to control the crowd, Silos and his men would be robbing three banks right down the street, all at the same time, on Via Di San Giovanni in Laterano.

Nuri pulled directly in front of the bank on the sidewalk. As they exited the car, they all pulled on their mask. When they entered the bank Silos was surprised to see so many people still inside, although most of them had run out into the streets to see what happened.

When the security guard turned to see the masked men rushing into the bank, he reached for his gun, but Silos was too quick for him. He pulled a stun gun out and used the taser to bring him down.

Please stay down, he said in a soft deadly voice. Or I will be forced to use a weapon that would require your family to dress in black.

That was enough for the officer. He loved his job, but he loved his family more. Silos looked around to see that his men had the rest of the people on the floor.

Where is the manager? Silos asked. He already knew who the manager was from staking out the bank for the past two weeks, yet he wanted to give the man a chance to step forward. When no one answered, he stepped up to a heavyset man cowering behind two women. The key, please, he asked, with his gloved hand held out.

The man looked as if he was going to lie about having the key, but then thought better of it. He dug his trembling hand into his pocket and pulled out his set of keys. When he handed them to Silos he swallowed hard and tried to step back.

Silos grabbed the man by his tie and dragged him to the center of the bank. He tossed the keys to one of his men and watched as he and another man immediately moved to the back of the bank. Nuri walked over to Silos carrying a vest filled with wires. Silos took the vest and handed it to the bank manager. Put it on.

The bank manager looked down at the vest and shook his head after seeing all the wires. Silos pulled out his gun and pointed it to his head. Please.

Sweat poured down the man’s face as he took the vest from Silos and began to put it on slowly. Once the vest was secure, Silos put his gun away. He waited patiently, just standing there staring at the man, until his men came out of the back with their black duffle bags filled with money. After seeing them load the trunk of the car, he turned back to the manager.

This vest is filled with explosives. It also has a camera on it so I can see you even after I leave. He opened the vest so they could all see the camera. If any of you move from the floor to try and alert the police I will detonate the bomb. He then turned to look at the manager. And if you try to remove the vest it will detonate on its own. My advice is to wait for the police and let their bomb squad take the vest off. Understood?

The manager and the patron on the floor, all nodded their heads."

Good.

Silos turned and walked out. He ran the same routine on the other two banks and everything went smoothly. After the last bank, he and his men drove to Complesso Ospedaliero San Giovanni Addolorata hospital. With all the commotion of people coming in hurt and yelling for help, they easily switched vehicles in the parking garage. Once inside the two new vehicles, he took out the device to the vest.

Can I do it Silos? asked Amir.

No! Silos yelled, and immediately felt bad. He tried to shield his brother from as much of this mess as possible. Although Al-Rasheem said he had to be present during each mission, Silos never let Amir become actively involved.

I'm sorry for yelling Amir, but I don’t want you to do these things. Having you here with me is enough, he said, trying to smooth over his brothers hurt feelings.

Amir wasn’t backing down. He’s my father too Silos. Freeing him should be my responsibility as well. I feel that I am not honoring him by only standing by watching as you risk your life on each mission to save him. Let me do this to honor him.

Silos looked at Amir and knew he could not talk him out of it. Are you sure you can bare this burden Amir? Of knowing that you have taken the lives of innocent men, women, and children?

Amir lifted his chin and met Silos’ eyes. Yes, I always have.

Fine. If you say you are ready… then you are ready, he said, placing the detonator in his hands.

Amir looked down at the detonator and let his thumb rest lightly over the red switch. For you, father, he said, and pressed the button.

Five more explosions ripped the sky as each bank exploded, as well as the two cars they had used to move around the city. Silos took the detonator from Amir’s hand and handed it to Nuri. Yes, for father, he said, as he sat back and closed his eyes.

Where are we going next brother? asked Amir. What is our next mission?

Silos never opened his eyes. Another bank job. We are going to America little brother. I hear they call it the land of opportunity.

CHAPTER 1

The doctor’s office was packed with pregnant women and those seeking advice on pregnancy. Stacey would usually meet her doctor on Mondays when his schedule was a lot lighter. Today was Thursday, and it was hectic in the office.

Nurses were bustling back and forth with charts and patients were becoming restless while waiting their turn. Stacey was grateful when she finally heard her name called. She grabbed her bottle of water and followed the nurse down a long brightly lit corridor.

You can wait in here Mrs. Tase. Doctor Bradford will be in shortly, said the nurse.

Thank you, Stacey said as the nurse closed the door behind her. It only took a minute before Dr. Bradford came shuffling into the room with her pink clogs on.

How are you feeling today Mrs. Tase? Any pains or swelling since the last time you visited?

No pain, but I have been feeling a little tired lately. My husband said I could be overdoing it with the walking.

Dr. Bradford scanned through her chart and snapped it closed. No, I want you to keep up with your walks around the block. You can use the exercise and it will be good for the baby.

Stacey looked at her and smiled. You mean when I do get pregnant.

No, I mean it will be good for the baby you’re going to be having in eight months.

Stacey’s mouth dropped open and she reached up and covered both of her cheeks. I'm pregnant? she asked softly.

Yes, congratulations. See, I told you it could be done. You just needed to have faith and a little bit of patience.

Oh my God. This is unbelievable. Chase is going to be so happy, she said smiling.

I bet he is. But I'm going to need you to make another appointment with me for next week so I can give you an ultrasound and make sure everything is alright.

Stacey frowned a little. Is something wrong?

No, everything is fine. It’s all routine stuff and it will give you a chance to see your baby’s heart beat on the monitor.

Feeling relieved Stacey began to smile again. Alright then. I will stop at the nurses’ station and make the appointment.

After Dr. Bradford left, Stacey stopped and made her appointment as she promised. She was now sitting in her car in the parking lot. She was still smiling at the news of being pregnant and she couldn’t wait to tell Chase. She started up the car and a blinking light on the dash got her attention. Damn, she said when she saw that it was the gas light blinking at her.

This wasn’t the first time that she had driven the car until the gas tank was empty. Chase got on her all the time about that, saying it wasn’t safe, especially if she was somewhere far and alone. He was right, of course, and she had promised to do better with it. Yeah, you’re definitely doing better, she said mockingly.

Stacey reached in her pocket and realized she had left her money in the house. She searched through the car for loose change or a secret stash, and came up empty. The closest gas station was up the street, but their machine for taking credit cards was down, so she would have to go to the ATM at the bank to take out some cash, and then get the gas.

She pulled out of the parking space and made her way down the street to use the ATM attached to the Cisco Savings Bank. Since she was only going to be out of the car for a quick second, she decided not to put on the heavy coat that Chase made her wear. Instead, she reached behind her for Chase’s black hoodie and decided that it will have to do.

Stacey giggled to herself at how the hoodie drooped down over her head and hands. She rolled the sleeves up, but found it to be useless, since the bottom hung down to her thighs. She gave up on the hoodie, and quickly made her way inside the small booth, and started her transaction.

****

Meagan watched in fear as the men in the bank held their guns directed at several people. They had her manager in the back right now emptying out the safe. She noticed that there were five men and none were watching her at the moment. She took a chance and eased slowly towards the silent alarm button that was secretly hidden on the floor.

Once she was close enough, she eased her foot over to it slowly, and pressed the button down using the toe of her shoe. Meagan knew that within minutes the police would arrive and the men would be taken into custody. She would be looked at as a hero and awarded a huge bonus from the company.

After about ten minutes, one of the men noticed how quiet it had gotten outside, and peeked out a window to check on things. His eyes widened in shock when he saw over ten police cars surrounding the building.

You motherfuckers hurry up! We got company! It’s fucking cops everywhere! he yelled in a heavy accent.

The man that was in the back with her boss came out with a huge duffle bag filled with cash. He held the manager by the back of his neck and shoved him hard, making him stumble and fall to the floor. He walked over to the window and became angry at seeing all the cops.

This was supposed to be a simple in and out job. How the fuck did the cops find out we are here?

He turned around and began scanning each person in the lobby one by one, staring them down. When his gaze fell on Meagan he stopped. First off, she wasn’t in front of the teller window where he had left her. Secondly, she was staring back at him, when earlier she wouldn’t make eye contact.

Meagan stared boldly into the man’s eyes with a look of bravery. When he only stared back at her, she refused to look away. She watched as the man spoke to his men while continuing to look at her. When they began moving all the workers and customers into the safe, she moved to follow.

Not you, he said with his thick accent. You’re the hero, so you stay with the villain, he said smiling.

But I…

But what? You pressed the silent alarm button right? You endangered my men and my driver that’s waiting outside. So, I want to know just how far you’re willing to go to be a hero.

Meagan licked her dry lips nervously. When the men returned from the back locking everyone inside the safe, they went inside the bathroom and shut off the lights. One of the men signaled to the man who had been talking to her, before he entered the bathroom as well.

Meagan felt a feeling of dread pass over her. Did she act in haste when she pressed the button? Should she have waited until they left to sound the alarm?

The man looked at the name tag pinned to her jacket. Well Meagan, this is it. It’s time for me to go, but before I go, I want to give you something for being a hero. You deserve it.

Meagan began to shake her head as she watched in horror as the man lifted his gun and pointed it at her. He fired one shot that was made silent by the silencer on the end. The man watched as her eyes widened in surprise and then lowered down to the blood staining her white shirt.

I shot you in the stomach so that you would bleed out slowly. Let’s see if the police will come save you in time and be your hero. The man then turned and walked into the darkened bathroom.

Meagan fell to her knees as searing hot pain coursed through her body. The phone began to ring and she slowly crawled towards it, leaving dark smudges of blood behind her on the floor. Once she reached the desk, she pulled on the cord making the phone fall to the floor. Her hands trembled as she grasped the receiver and placed it to her ear.

Please, I need help, she said, gasping for breath.

This is detective Walker. I'm the commanding officer in charge. Who am I speaking to?

Meag… Meagan, she whispered. I’ve been shot. Help me please. I don’t want to die, she said as she felt herself begin to black out.

The detective radioed to the swat team to move in. They crashed through the front and back entrances moving quickly through the bank. Meagan heard them yelling out clear as they moved closer to her.

It's all clear, sir, she heard one man say.

But that can’t be, she thought. They’re in the bathroom.

We got a body over here! Meagan was barely conscious and felt very tired. She wanted to close her eyes and go to sleep, but she feared that if she did, she wouldn’t wake back up.

She watched with blurred vision as the police and the paramedics surrounded her. When one of the men tried to place the mask on her face, she pushed his hand away fighting to speak. They're in the bathroom and there’s a driver outside. I heard him say it, she said before she passed out.

We got to go! said the EMT as he and his partner lifted her body onto the stretcher.

The detective heard what the woman had said and pulled a few men with him over to the bathroom. Did anyone check in here?

Yes, sir. We found people locked in the safe only. The bathroom was clear, said an officer.

She said they went inside the bathroom.

Maybe she’s delirious from losing too much blood.

Yeah, maybe. Let’s check it out once more anyway.

The swat team moved into the bathroom silently and after checking each stall, began to walk out. The detective was also about to leave when he noticed a screw lying on the floor. For some reason it made him take a second look around. There were no windows, so escaping that way wasn’t an option.

He let his eyes roam around the room until it landed on a wire grate slightly hidden behind the trash can. He signaled two officers over to try and lift it. When it came up easily, more screws fell onto the floor.

The swat sergeant grabbed his radio and pressed the button. We got gofers in the sewers. I repeat, we have gofers in the sewers. I want a five mile search started immediately.

He turned to another officer that was about to drop down into the hole. Go outside and inform the locals to start looking for the driver. We came in quietly, so he might have gotten boxed in and we missed him. Check every car and tell them to use extreme caution. They’ve already shot one hostage.

****

After withdrawing her money and stuffing it into her pocket, Stacey turned to leave the small booth. She had just walked outside when several police cars pulled up quietly near the bank across the parking lot. She watched in awe as two swat team vehicles stopped in the middle of the street and men poured from the back dressed in full tactical uniforms.

Stacey eased back inside, and watched the events unfold in front of her like a real live television show. She watched as the team rushed in the back, and was followed by the paramedics. A crowd had gathered and was focused on the bank, but she started to lose interest. She wanted to get back on the road to meet up with Chase and tell him the good news. She smiled as she slid her hand into the hoodie pocket gripping the test results in her hand.

She pushed open the door again to leave and yanked the hood over her head once more to block the cold. She began moving towards her car when she saw three men dressed in jeans and leather jackets tossing large bags into the back of an armored truck. Shouldn’t they be in uniform, she