Ray Higgins' car was an old Ford pickup. Clay laid an old blanket in the truck bed, concealed himself there with his Benelli M4 shotgun, and got ready for the mission.
Jack drove the vehicle east along Route 40, as per Gabriel's instructions. Higgins sat in the passenger seat, clutching his phone with a complicated expression.
"Honestly, no matter the outcome, I won't mind. At my age, I've come to terms with death," Higgins said softly. He was clearly referring to his own mortality. As for Gabriel, if he didn't care, he wouldn't be here.
Jack chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "You're not like the old guys I know. One retired years ago, but still struts around like a peacock, proud of being a 'ladies' man' at 60. Another, in his 80s, spends his time ogling the nurses."
Higgins laughed despite himself. "I have two daughters living their own lives. Since Susan passed, I've felt like I no longer have a place in this world."
Jack found himself at a loss for words. He knew many elderly people who lived alone often passed away soon after their spouse did, unable to cope with the loneliness and grief. He couldn't help but think that Gabriel's story might have played out differently under other circumstances—perhaps if Higgins had adopted him, Gabriel wouldn't have become so rigid and extreme. Maybe he could have found happiness in a family of his own. Higgins, in turn, would have had someone to care for and a renewed purpose after losing his wife.
Some might dismiss such traditional family structures as outdated, promoting instead the ideals of modern diversity. Yet, the truth remained that countless ordinary people continued to live quietly, upholding those "old-fashioned" values through generations.
Sensing the atmosphere in the truck growing heavy, Jack shifted the topic to Higgins' home repairs. As he'd suspected, Higgins' wife had battled cancer in recent years. Overwhelmed with caring for her, Higgins had neither the time nor the resources to maintain the house, leading to its current state of disrepair.
After Susan passed, Higgins had taken a few months to gather himself and finally decided to slowly restore the home, starting the project not long before the agents' first visit.
Their casual chat about house repairs was interrupted by the sudden ring of Higgins' phone. Gabriel's voice came through as Higgins quickly answered, "Where are you now?"
Jack glanced at the GPS and Higgins relayed their location.
"Take the next turn onto Barker Road. You're close," Gabriel instructed before abruptly hanging up.
Jack tapped his hidden earpiece. "We're turning off onto Barker Road. Hold your positions for now."
The FBI's command vehicle, following at a safe distance, wouldn't lose contact due to the phones' GPS tracking and radio communication. After navigating through several winding roads, they finally reached a dirt path. Higgins answered a few more calls from Gabriel, who guided them to their final destination—a run-down farmhouse on Willow Lane.
Jack reported the location over the radio and gave Higgins a firm instruction, "When we get there and see Gabriel, you're going to step out first and stand between us and him."
This wasn't about putting Higgins in harm's way but rather using him to catch Gabriel's attention and avoid any immediate violence. Despite Gabriel's extreme behavior, it was unlikely he'd shoot his former mentor without first trying to talk.
A weathered wooden house soon came into view, with a "For Sale" sign posted in the yard. Jack slowed the truck and whispered, "Clay!"
From the truck bed, there was a soft rustle. Jack checked the rearview mirror and saw Clay slipping into the roadside foliage.
The tires crunched over gravel as Jack pulled the truck to a stop. As soon as he set the parking brake, the phone rang again.
"You two, get out of the truck," Gabriel ordered over the phone. "Ray, come to the front of the house. Get away from that FBI agent."
Before Higgins could respond, Jack leaned in and spoke loudly into the phone, "How about you show yourself first?"
The line went dead. The farmhouse door creaked open, but no one appeared. A hand holding a phone extended from the doorway and waved.
Higgins didn't wait for instructions. He quickly stepped out of the truck, positioning himself between the vehicle and the house. "Gabriel! I'm here! Let's talk!" he called out, spreading his arms as if welcoming a long-lost child.
Jack sighed silently, stepped out of the truck, and leaned casually against the hood, arms crossed. His pistol was tucked into a tactical pouch on his bulletproof vest, positioned for a quick draw without appearing overtly threatening.
The door opened fully, and Gabriel emerged in his old patrol uniform, a smile on his face.
"I found this place four years ago when I was looking for you, Ray," Gabriel said, gesturing toward the surrounding land. "It was for sale even then. I thought maybe Elisa and I could fix it up and make it our home."
He shook his head bitterly. "But things change, don't they? Just like you, Ray. You taught me to value honesty, yet here you are, lying to me. You betrayed me, didn't you? I saw the email you sent to Peloni."
Higgins took a step forward, ignoring Gabriel's hand resting on his holstered gun. "That's a lie, Gabriel! The FBI faked that email! I never betrayed you!"
Jack chimed in, "We planted that email, Gabriel. We found the Trojan horse you installed on Peloni's phone. You've been watching his messages, haven't you?"
Higgins continued moving closer, ensuring he remained between Gabriel and Jack. They were now about 20 meters apart. Jack stayed calm, knowing reinforcements were en route.
"We're trying to keep you alive, Gabriel," Jack said. "We don't want you gunned down by your former colleagues."
Gabriel pointed at Jack, his voice rising. "You're all liars! You're no different from those who ruined me!"
"Believe what you want," Jack shrugged. "But don't you want to see those people brought to justice? You've been following the news, haven't you? The truth is coming out. That's not a lie."
Higgins backed him up. "It's true, Gabriel. Everyone knows you were right. The FBI has confirmed it. Those corrupt officers will face consequences."
"And what about me?" Gabriel's voice cracked, tears threatening to fall. "I killed people—innocent people. Is it my turn to pay the price now?"
Higgins, his own eyes welling up, pleaded, "Don't do this, Gabriel. Don't give them a reason to shoot you. I love you like a son. Maybe I'll live long enough to see you released. I'll visit you regularly. Just surrender."
Through Jack's earpiece, Hannah's voice came through: "In position, awaiting your command." Two light taps from Clay followed, signaling that he was also ready.
Jack decided it was time. He pulled out the brass belt buckle from his pocket and raised it high.
"'Veritas Ante Omnia'—Truth Above All, right? You've held onto that truth. But there are other ways to pay the price. No need to add another death."
Jack strode forward, tossing the belt buckle toward Gabriel. As Gabriel instinctively bent to pick it up, Jack gave a subtle command, "Now."
Clay suddenly appeared from the side of the house, firing five rapid shots with his Benelli M4. The beanbag rounds struck Gabriel in quick succession, causing him to scream in pain.
Jack pushed Higgins aside and charged forward. He tackled Gabriel to the ground, disarmed him, and quickly cuffed his wrists.
"Let's move him out of here," Jack said, smelling gasoline from inside the house. He dragged Gabriel to an open space away from the building.
"Looks like he was planning to burn himself alive," Clay muttered, carrying a gasoline can from the house.
Jack slapped Gabriel hard across the face. "That's for Chief Higgins. He loved you, but he didn't teach you discipline. Now you're going to learn it the hard way."
(End of Chapter)
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