FIRE ON HIGH

    “Fire On High” is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. All characters and settings © Tigermark 2003-2019 unless otherwise noted. Request permission before using them, please.

The characters of Anatol Altaisokova and Melinda Altaisokova are my names for characters © Max Blackrabbit. They appear in this story with his permission. The characters of Brandy, Maxwell, Tonya and Zig Zag are also © Max Blackrabbit and appear here with his permission. Events and information relating to Tonya, Anatol, and their family are presented here, but are not to be considered canon to those characters or any other story but this one. ZZ Studios, and all characters associated with ZZ Studios, James Sheppard, and Marvin Badger © James Bruner and appear here with his permission.  Although characters from and events referring to Zig Zag the Story appear here, this story is not canon to that one, and the author will disavow any knowledge of this story. Wanda Vixen © Chris Yost and appears here with his permission. Sabrina Mustidalae © Eric W. Schwartz and appears here with his permission. This story is not canon to Sabrina Online the comic, or Sabrina Online the Story, either. Matt Barstock, Angie Rockwell, Intermountain Charter, The Bitch, and her crew, and Jerry Kitt © Silver Coyote. See their story HERE.  Gail Rutherford © me and is not canon to any other story involving ZZ Studios. Gabrielle Ryder and Jean LeBrun © Aslaug, from her Transitions stories. See them at her site, The Axe Shed, available from the links page. Aramis Dagaz is© his player and appears here with his permission.

Author’s Note: Lewiston, Maine’s airport, identifier KLEW, is actually uncontrolled. That is, it has no control tower. Poetic license was used for this story, so Alex and company talk with a control tower whilst aviating there.

 

Chapter 131

End Game, Part 3

 

Aramis looked over at the speedometer in the FBI SUV he and Diana were in. They’d hit 100mph for several miles on the interstate, and even now as they sailed out a two-lane road the GPS said led to Colonel O’White’s home their speed was near 80. They were running lights and siren for now and had called ahead for the Clark County Sheriff to assist. Two deputies were on their way to meet up with them.

“Aramis, cut the lights and siren, we’re not too far out and I don’t want to tip Mastifson off we’re coming,” Diana advised.

He flipped the switches and noted in the mirror that Roland had done the same. Police lights approached from their left and fell in behind them before also going off. Just then their radio crackled to life on what was called the mutual aid channel.

“Hey FBI, Clark County Four Oh Eight, dispatch just notified us they got a silent alarm from the address you said we’re going to. We’re still about four miles out. Careful of the turn off, it’s kinda sharp.”

“Copy Four Oh Eight,” Aramis replied as he held on for dear life, feeling like the big SUV was taking the curve of the road almost on two wheels.

“Easy Diana, we can’t help him if we don’t get there in one piece.”

“If we get there late, we might not be able to help him at all!” Diana shot back, although Aramis did note a slight decrease in their speed.

They approached the turn onto Thatcher’s Mill Road and managed it without hitting the road signs, ditchline, or fencelines that ran along either side of the it. This road was a bit curvier and Diana had to slow even more. Aramis noticed a second deputy had fallen in behind them. As they approached the area where Colonel O’Whitt lived, they slowed even more, so that their engine noise wouldn’t give them away. Aramis spotted the house and hangar up a small hill on the left. Then it was blocked by trees.

“There’s the house, and I’m not sure but I think I saw a couple of figures standing out in front. They were silhouetted by the house and driveway lights.”

He looked the most concerned that Diana had ever seen him as he added, “One was in all black.”

#   #   #

Corrie recognized the mist from what Alex had told her. She couldn’t stop in time to not get hit by it, but she recalled what her husband had said. She didn’t suck in a breath. She held her breath where it was and closed her eyes. She felt the wetness of the mist on her face, but within a couple of seconds it was gone. She suddenly felt light-headed and unsteady. She started to have a nasty flashback to a clearing in Australia, but somehow, she could tell this was different. She was about to fall when a figure in black caught her. Far from unconscious, with slitted eyes she observed her attacker. She immediately knew it was Mastifson. Thinking quickly, she knew if she played things right now, she might give herself a chance to catch the Rottweiler offguard. She sagged over his arm, forcing the fur to hold her entire weight.

She heard his attempt at comfort but kept her opinion of it to herself for now. Her eyes were still slitted, and she had a nasty shock when she saw the fur pull out a syringe and expose the needle. When he dragged her up the driveway and shouted his callout, she waited, biding her time to escape or strike.

#   #   #

Alex had the hamburger ready and was waiting on Corrie to return with the ketchup. He was beginning to become concerned. It hadn’t been very long since she stepped out, but with Mastifson lurking about, any delay was suspicious. He decided to check his cell phone. Aramis was supposed to let him know if Mastifson was out their way. He found he’d put it on mute for the flight home from work and forgot to change it. He was beginning to check for messages when he felt it. That electricity in his neck and spine, the alertness and heightened senses that told him combat was coming. He was already moving when he heard Mastifson shout. Already had his pistol in one paw and his cane in the other when he opened the front door. He’d pushed the panic button to activate the house alarm silently, alerting the authorities to a problem there.

When he saw Corrie laying across Mastifson’s arm, he nearly fired. What stopped him was that, unlike the shot in the dojo, the light was very bad. Only the light from the open door illuminated the scene, and shadows fell oddly everywhere. The other was the needle poised over his wife’s neck. One drop of the Rottweiler’s arm and Corrie would be gone.

“Hello O’Whitt,” Mastifson called with a sneer, all trace of his Boston accent gone. “Glad you could join us. Put the gun down or your wife dies, now.”

Alex reluctantly tossed his Glock off to the side, away from Mastifson so the fur couldn’t easily get to it and leaned on his cane.

“Good. Now, here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to walk out here and take your shot like a good fellow. You’ll do it to save her life. Then you’ll see, as you die, what it means to cross me. To challenge me. To belittle me. To flaunt your superiority in my face. Now come on, hobble on out here!” Mastifson’s sneer had turned into a nasty grin.

Before he moved, Alex looked evenly at the Rottweiler. “How do I know you won’t just kill her too?”

Mastifson didn’t like having his word questioned, but knew he had the upper paw. “She hasn’t seen my face. Can’t identify me. She’s much too beautiful to harm unless I have to. Now come on, time to die for her.”

Alex took a step down from the small front landing, and then spoke. “What on God’s Earth is wrong with you? Your pride? You’re challenged? You got my brother killed! You cost me TPS and NASA. You’ve tried to arrange my death twice! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!”

Alex had roared that last bit out. He was far from out of control, though. He was stalling. Trying to put the Rottweiler off his stride. He knew with the alarm; the sheriff’s department should be on their way. Aramis and his team probably as well. He just had to keep Mastifson occupied with something other than sinking that needle into him until then. The canid was not having it right then, though. He moved the needle closer to Corrie’s throat.

“Ah-ah! You don’t get to do that. Make another move or sound I don’t tell you to and she’s gone.”

Alex held still. That’s when he noticed Corrie looking at him with her eyes slitted open. That told him she wasn’t unconscious and was waiting for a chance to act. Mastifson now spoke again.

“Good. Now, one step at a time. Come here.”

Alex took one step down, and then another along the driveway, leaning heavily on his cane, until he stood in front of Mastifson. The Rottweiler sneered, his face a red-eyed mask of hatred, his lips pulled back to bare his teeth. He finally had the tiger! It was all he thought it would be. Triumphant! Exhilarating! With slow precision, he stated his next command.

“Put. Your. Arm. Out.”

Alex slowly extended his right arm, his left paw on the brass ball of his cane. Mastifson moved the needle from Corrie’s throat and raised it, savoring the moment before plunging it into the tiger’s arm.

Several things happened nearly at once. A sudden squall of tires at the bottom of the hill broke Mastifson’s attention for a split second. He didn’t turn to look, but his eyes and attention shifted for just a second. He immediately knew this was a mistake. He tried to plunge the needle downward, only to find it blocked by the cane now wielded in the tiger’s left paw.

The lioness on his arm suddenly flipped over and onto the ground beside him. Excruciating pain shot through his leg and he managed a glance down to find his leg bleeding profusely through both shredded pantsleg and Tyvex suit. The lioness was rolling away from him in a controlled, deliberate way. He was still trying to press the syringe down when the tiger flipped the cane upward and struck him hard across the jaw with it.

He staggered back and attempted to change his grip on the syringe, so as to push forward with it. Alex had taken a half-step back and now held his cane on both paws like a baton. Mastifson feigned a stab at the tiger, trying to find and opening. On his third stab, he over-extended and Alex snapped his cane in a fanning block. Mastifson’s paw was struck upward and sideways, and he watched the syringe spin away into the darkness. Old training kicked in and he snapped into a boxing stance.

Alex had watched Corrie attack and then roll away. With her out of danger, he was free to deal with Mastifson. First was to eliminate the deadly needle. Using his cane, he struck the canid’s paw and knocked the syringe away. Mastifson then tried for a boxing stance. Alex shattered the Rottweiler’s right paw with a strike from the cane when the Rottweiler threw a punch at his ribs. The canid tried for a left jab at the tiger’s face, only to have it blocked by the cane. Now Alex went on the offensive, striking Mastifson in the gut with the ball of the cane. With all the padding from Tyvex, clothing, and coat, it made the canid chuff, but didn’t really slow him down. His right paw was throbbing and useless, so Mastifson tried desperately with a left roundhouse. Alex blocked it with his right forearm and then, planting the cane firmly for balance, kicked Mastifson with his left foot in the side of the head so hard he nearly did a backflip as he was knocked to the ground.

The noise that had startled the Rottweiler was the black SUV of Aramis and Diana turning in the driveway. Roland in her unmarked car and two Clark County sheriff’s deputies right behind them. All the blue lights came on and one blipped their siren.

Mastifson was in a panic. Everything had gone wrong! He had to get away! Yes, if he could get out into the darkness, he could get away! He managed to get to his feet and attempt a hobbling run off into the field to the right of Alex’s house. Diana and Aramis had roared up the driveway and were trying to get stopped and get out to go after him. Roland drove right past them and out across the field, spinning dirt and grass as she cut the Rottweiler off.

He was limping badly as he tried to run. Seeing the car cut across his path, he stopped and attempted to pull out and uncap the second syringe. Whether to use on the officer stopping him or on himself was anyone’s guess. Roland jumped out, pistol drawn. With his right paw shattered, Mastifson was unable to get the needle uncapped. He tried to go around her and the car, heedless of the firearm. The Doberman officer could have shot him right there, but instead kicked the Rottweiler in the head sharply. The syringe went flying as he hit the ground.

By that time, the Clark County Deputies had reached them and proceeded to pawcuff the Rottweiler and get him on his feet. One lens of his goggles was shattered. He’d taken several hard hits to his head and jaw, and both were beginning to swell. His left leg looked like hamburger where Corrie had used claws and teeth on him, and he blinked the one eye not swelling shut in the flashing blue lights. One of the deputies began reading him his Miranda rights as the other led him back toward the patrol cruisers.

Roland walked back with them. Diana and Aramis were talking with Alex as he saw to Corrie. The tiger was on his knees, cradling the lioness’ head on his lap.

“Luv, I’m okay. The dizziness is stahting to go away.”

Alex had tears in his eyes as he held her as close as he could. “Don’t care. Not letting go. That…that…cur could have killed you!”

Corrie reached up and caressed his cheek. “Wasn’t me he was aftah.”

She smacked her lips a couple of times. “Pfah! He tastes awful!”

Aramis, Diana, and even Alex stifled a chuckle at that.

Roland stepped over. “Did she get sprayed?”

Alex looked up, managing a grateful smile as Corrie answered. “Yeah, but I held me breath and closed me eyes like Alex said to. I didn’t get a full dose.”

Roland nodded. “Then you should be okay within a half hour or so. Wash your face really well to make sure there’s no residual drugs on your fur.”

Roland, Diana, and Aramis stepped away and left Alex to care for his wife. They walked over to where the deputies were doing first-aid on Mastifson’s leg. They’d taken the hat, hood, and goggles off, and the Rottweiler stood there looking bewildered.

“What…happens now?” he asked weakly.

“Jail, you smarmy bastard! You’re lucky I didn’t shoot you!” Roland replied sharply. He looked at her with one eye, as the other had begun to swell shut.

“I know you. Detective something or other. What are you doing out here? This is out of your jurisdiction,” the Rottweiler stated, trying to muster some of his former pompousness. Roland snorted.

“I’m here with the Feds.”

Mastifson looked at Aramis and Diana.

“Agent Forsham, FBI. Normally with Aviation Crimes but attached to this case as liaison. I came on board when you had Colonel O’Whitt’s plane sabotaged.”

“Agent Andy Denver, AFOSI,” was all Aramis said. The name caused realization to dawn in the Rottweiler’s eye. He looked at them all sourly.

“I want a lawyer,” was all he said.

#   #   #

During the next forty-five minutes, a state trooper arrived to help process the crime scene, as well as a team of deputies from Clark County to do the forensic work. Both the syringes, full of Fontedyne, were found, as was Alex’s pistol. Since it hadn’t been a part of the crime, it was returned to him cleared and with the magazine out. The mag and the round cleared from it were also returned. The state trooper aided Roland in getting her car back on the pavement while the deputies laid out the crime scene and photographed it. Alex and Corrie gave statements, and the trooper and deputies departed. Now, Corrie was back on her feet, and the team that had chased Mastifson for so long began their farewells.

“Thank you all. I…don’t know what else to say,” Alex stated sincerely.

“Yes, thank you. You all did a bonzah job,” Corrie added, her arm around Alex’s waist as their tails entwined.

Aramis and Diana exchanged looks. In the end, it had been Alex, Corrie, and Roland who’d done the actual stopping.

“We’re just glad he was caught, and nobody else got killed,” Aramis replied.

“Same here,” Roland added, nodding. “I knew he was bad news when he tried to pick me up in that club.”

“What now?” Corrie inquired.

Roland smirked. “Jail for him. With all the charges he’ll have coming, and his history of travel, I’d say no bail. With this being in several jurisdictions, I’d say endless trials and appeals. Federal crimes, drug crimes, murder. He might be up for the death penalty in three or four states, or they could roll it all into a Federal case first. In any case, I doubt he’ll see the streets again.”

Everything there was wrapped up, so the agents and detective took their leave.

“Goodbye Colonel. I hope if we meet again it’s under much better circumstances,” Aramis stated as he shook paws with Alex and Corrie.

“Likewise. Stay in touch if there’s anything you need from us or anything we need to know about Mastifson, like he escapes or something,” Alex replied.

“Colonel, Mrs. O’Whitt,” was all Diana said. Alex and Corrie smiled in return as they shook paws.

“Colonel O’Whitt, Mrs. O’Whitt, congratulations on your marriage. Maybe I’ll see you around Lexington. Be safe,” Roland said as she headed to her car.

“Roland,” was the O’Whitt’s reply.

 Alex helped Corrie into the house, retrieving the plastic bottles of ketchup from the driveway. Just as they did, Alex saw Jenna’s minivan pull in down at their house. Apparently, they’d missed the whole thing. Tia would demand the whole story tomorrow after church, and he and Corrie had much more to talk about to process the event. They still had dinner to eat, too.

Corrie had thoroughly washed her face when she came in and sat down at the kitchen table.

“Luv, can we skip the meatloaf tonight? I don’t want to put a bad memory with Jedi’s great recipe.”

“Way ahead of you, Love. The noodles are done, so Beef Stroganoff it is,” Alex replied.

Corrie grinned. “I love you, Jet Jockey.”

Alex grinned in return. “I love you, too, Chopper Gal.”

 

 

End of Chapter 131

 

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