Chapter 4 Nicky's Capture

"Shots fired on the corner of 1st Avenue and 3rd Avenue. I repeat, gun shots fired. We need immediate backup."

"This is Bravo Leader. We are en route."

"Copy that, Bravo Leader."

"This is Alpha Leader. We are right behind you." Two minutes later, both SWAT vans were parked in front of the patrol unit that placed the distress call.

"What's going on?" both SWAT leaders asked.

"We were patrolling around the area, and saw a group of guys, who immediately opened fire on us when they saw us. We retreated and they disappeared into the building," said one of the patrol officers.

"How many were there?"

"There were about seven of them."

"Command, this is Bravo Leader."

"Go ahead Bravo Leader."

"What's the population in the building?"

"There are at least 10 families in that building."

"Are there any other entrances?"

"Negative, there is only one entrance point."

"Okay so we can't go in hot, we go in dark," Rollins said.

"How do you want to cover the ground?" Deacon asked.

"Split up and search the building?"

"No, we stick together. I don't know what to expect in there, and I don't want any accidents."

"Okay, we will follow your lead," Deacon said. "Command, cut out the power on my signal, we are going in dark."

"Okay guys, we are breaching in two minutes. We are going in dark, so pick your shots carefully. Use non-lethal rounds, unless it's absolutely necessary to go for lethal. There are families and kids in this building, so watch your shots. Stay fluid in there."

"Command, now!" And instantaneously, the buildings power was cut. They all entered the narrow passageway.

"LAPD SWAT. Please go back into your house ma'm and lock the doors," Rollins said. They continued their way in the building, knocking on every door and quietly searching all the apartments.

"It has to be this one," Deacon said as they knocked on the last door. "LAPD SWAT. Open the door and come out with your hands in the air." They waited for a response.

"Deacon...open the door," Rollins ordered. Deacon slowly opened the door. "Masks," he ordered. They all put on their gas-masks. Deacon showed the countdown on his hand, 3, 2, 1 and bang, he threw the teargas in the apartment and they all marched through the door.

"Drop it, leather face," Rollins ordered one of the men who was crawling to try and reach for his gun.

"Come out with your hands in the air," Deacon ordered the rest of the group that had gathered into a back room. They all came out coughing and hacking as they struggled to breathe in the thick teargas. "This is Bravo, we are Code 4, suspects apprehended."

An hour later, Rollins stood in front of one of the suspects. "Solomon Gonzalez. Wanted for breaking and entering, grand theft auto, illegal possession of a firearm, possession with the intent to sell. Do you want to add an accomplice to kidnapping and murder to the list?" asked Rollins.

"I ain't killed nobody," said Gonzalez.

"Oh really? Then prove it. Where can I find Angelica?" Gonzalez looked at Rollins.

"Do I look suicidal, cop? I do not know where Angelica is, and even if I knew I wouldn't tell you," said Gonzalez.

"Oh, there is the iron-clad loyalty that the El Diablos are known for. Let me ask you a question though, Gonzalez. You are what, 21 years? Currently you are looking at 25 years hard time. I'm talking 25 years hard time in the most secure maximum prison in the country. If you add the murder charges, you have had your last few days as a free man. Is Angelica really worth all that trouble, Gonzalez?"

"Are you deaf, cop? I told you I do not know where Angelica is. I never dealt with him directly. He always sent someone to issue us with instructions," Gonzalez replied.

"Was it Nicky?" Gonzalez nodded. "Okay, so how did you and Nicky get in touch?"

"Nicky, he always finds us. He always calls us on one of the phones and sets up a meet," Gonzalez said.

"Okay, now we are getting somewhere. We know that you were part of the crew that were in charge of grabbing Natasha from the bank. Walk me through that," asked Rollins.

"Nicky, he called us on Sunday night around 11 pm and he said we have to grab this girl. He said she was not to be harmed. All we had to do was grab the girl, then he would text us the location of the drop." While he spoke, Gonzalez did not once look up, disgusted by his disloyalty. "When we got to the bank, the girl was not there. Then things got out of hand and the cops showed up."

"When was the last time you spoke to Nicky?"

"This morning. He said he would call with a location for a meet tonight. He said he has a job for us."

Sergeant Rollins suddenly smiled. Finally, there was the break he was hoping for. When he went out of the interrogation room, he headed straight for the commander's office. "We have got him," Rollins said.

"Who, Angelica?" Higgerson asked enthusiastically.

"No. Nicky. He is going to contact one of these suspects tonight with a location for a meet."

Higgerson jumped from his seat. "Call in everyone, we have to set up a raid."

Within 25 minutes, everyone was gathered in front of the police gym area.

"We are going to wait until we have positive confirmation that Nicky is on the scene. Alpha team, you are going to secure the yard. Beta team, you will secure all the exits. My team is in charge of picking up Nicky. Air team 1, you will be in charge of tracking him should things go south. This goes without saying, but this is our one big chance to blow this case wide open. There is no room for errors. Watch your sixes out there. We might also be set up to walk into a trap," Rollins addressed everyone.

About one and a half hours later, Rollins looked at his watch and asked "Beta team, what's your status update? Any sign of Nicky?"

"Negative."

"What about you, Alpha team?"

"Negative."

"Okay guys, keep sharp."

"Roger that," came the reply.

"Bravo Leader, there's an approaching vehicle," said Deacon, who was perched in one of the trees just outside the junk yard.

"I have see Nicky," commented one of the units that were stationed behind a heap of dirt.

"All units standby," Rollins ordered. They all waited until Nicky was in the clear.

"Move in!" came the order.

"Freeze! LAPD," screamed the officers as they closed in on Nicky.

"It's over, Nicky. Get on your knees and keep your hands where I can see them," ordered Rollins. Nicky got to the ground with his hands up in the air. He stared at Solomon with eyes of pure hatred.

"I had trusted you," he sneered at Solomon. "You will regret this as long as I live."