The Burden’s of Cascade

By EJKatz

Simon stared down at the phone he’d just replaced. He rubbed a shaking hand over his tired eyes as he reached to turn out his desk light with the other. These were the kind of days he really hated.

The week had brought two of the toughest cases he had seen in quite a while. A kidnapping of a six year old girl who was killed and returned before the ransom had even been demanded. The perp had been captured only as he attempted to take a second child.

That one ended nastily as Brian Rafe and Henri Brown had ended up scrambling with the perp who’s strength and insane mental status made it difficult to subdue the man and he’d gotten off several punishing blows. Both detectives had ended up needing to be checked out at the hospital and Simon had given the rest of the week off to both of them. They deserved the rest.

The second case had ended worse. What should have been a simple case of shoplifting turned into armed robbery, murder and a rather nasty hostage situation with Sandburg right in the middle of the whole mess. Another case of the wrong place at the wrong time.

The partners had stopped and Blair had run into grab a couple of cups of coffee. He stepped into a robbery in progress. The thief pulled a gun, fired a shot at the clerk, killing him instantly. Before Blair had a chance to move the gun was pressed hard to his temple and the gunman was staring down Jim’s gun.

The stand-off lasted four hours while Jim tried to talk the gunman into letting Blair go. Blair was doing his best to help but after being hit twice by the gun he had been forced to remain still or pass out. The end wasn’t brought about easily. Blair had been released with a gash on his head requiring seven stitches and a mild concussion. Jim had shot the gunman but not before he himself had been shot.

That phone call was from Blair at the hospital letting Simon know that Jim was finally out of surgery and was expected to make a full recovery.

Well, the end to a very bad week yet that news had made it feel like the burdens of Cascade had been lifted for the night so could go and join one half of his best team wait for the other half to recover enough to go home.

For one night anyhow, Cascade could rest a little easier.

The end