Washington, D.C.
“Open up! Police!” June shouted over the blaring music.
Agents June Avery and Ron “Encyclopedia” Brown stood on either side of the front door, with their Glock 22’s drawn. A bead of sweat trickled down June’s nose. She felt her heart beating in her chest. She focused on slow and deep breaths. An informant had provided information that this residence was the location of their suspect. On the other side of this door was her man.
The street was quiet except for the loud music that came from within the house. The evening sun threatened to duck behind the trees along the boulevard. June squinted when she glanced at her partner. He gave her a quick smile of confidence.
June thought about the months of work it took in order to be standing on this front porch. This is what she worked for. This was show time. She tightened the straps on her bullet-proof vest. She reminded herself that in the field it was best not to think, just act. Let your training take over, all of that. She took another deep and measured breath. She flipped the weapon’s safety off.
June shielded the sun from her eyes as she looked at her partner. He nodded once. She extended her arm and pounded on the door. “Police! Open the door now!”
No response over the deafening song.
She counted to three, nodded once more to her partner. Agent Brown reached for the door handle. He tested it. It was unlocked. He shot an uncomfortable glance at June. She shrugged and reminded herself it was best not to over think the situation, just react, indecision kills. She led the way into the house.
Agent Avery scanned the west side of the entry with her weapon and eyes. Agent Brown swept the east side for threats and identification. The adrenaline subsided a bit, as the partners processed their surroundings. They found themselves in a well-lit large entryway whose striking feature was the massive stairway that lined the west wall. Three doors on the ground level offered the agents a choice, the middle one being the source of the music. The pair tip-toed across the white marble floor, each step produced an echo sure to give their surprise away.
The agents flanked the doorway. Agent Avery snuck a peek around the corner and discovered a dark hallway. The room at the end of the hallway was lit. She hand signaled to Agent Brown. Brown slipped into the hall while Avery followed close behind. Her eyes strained in the darkness. They moved towards the room at the end of the hallway. She recognized the room was the kitchen. And someone was moving around in there.
A few steps from the kitchen, the agents paused for a look. A trim, average-height man with closely-cropped hair stood at a counter with his back to them. From the rear his dark clothing appeared to be fashionable, covered in part by an apron. The kitchen was whiter than most operating rooms, accenting his black clothing. He seemed oblivious as he hunched over his task. June raised her weapon.
The agents exchanged hand signals, and June led the charge into the kitchen. “Police! Put your hands in the air!”
Nothing.
“Let me see your hands, Slick! Turn around slowly!”
She wasn’t sure the man heard her over the music. The man lifted and titled his head. He froze in place for a moment then spun around.
Avery shouted, “Gun!”
A single shot exploded over the music. Utter disbelief covered the man’s face as he clutched his chest and slumped to the floor.
Agent Brown cautiously moved forward, his gun trained on the motionless body. He stooped to check the pulse. “He’s dead.”
Detective Avery was paralyzed. She had never killed anyone before. She had never even fired her weapon in the line of duty before. Time seemed to stand still. The totality of the situation threatened to overwhelm her as she struggled with the reality of the situation. A voice cut through the fog in her mind, “Avery! Avery!”
She tried hard to clear her head. “Yeah, I’m all right,” she managed. June lowered her weapon.
Detective Brown blew out his breath and frowned. “Where’s the gun?”
“W…what?”
“You said you saw a gun. Where is it?”
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