Title: Undercover Blues
Chapter 2 – On Deadly Ground
'Don't worry Linda…we got this all covered.'
'But you'll be in there on your own.'
'I'll be okay. A few days at most. I have my invisible wire…look it's going to be okay. The Chief has this all worked out. I just gotta be there to witness the deal as a hired goon. I see it go down…I say the magic words and then am arrested along with the rest and let go and it's over.'
'You promise me that if something isn't right you'll say the words…'
'Linda I can't say the words unless the deal goes down. I can't blow this. Henderson will thin he's been set up and roll over on Anton Fratelli and we'll have our case. But if there is no deal Henderson has nothing and we got squat and Fratelli walks…trust me nothing will go wrong.'
Nothing…will…go wrong.
Jamie? How the hell did he find us? The alley was supposed to covered? Was that cover blown? Is mine? Jamie! Damn it…what the…Danny's mind spirals round and round in heated anger and agitation. To say the week had been tense would have been an understatement but now this…and his brother to blame? He had worked the streets for several months just trying to get an invite as a hired goon into a Fratelli deal…the details being confirmed a few days ago by another insider; a man not in the room at the moment. He's alone. Alone and facing an angry mob of drug dealers with his brother as their captive prisoner.
Jamie you idiot! Danny's mind initially yells as he glares at Jamie in frustrated anger. His heart, however, inwardly tugs downward as he looks at the darkening circle on Jamie's pale skin around his right eye; the fresh blood making trails from his nose to his busted lower lip and resting on his chin before obviously disappearing into the black folds of his roughed up uniform. Jamie fidgets uncomfortably in his captive position; his wrists tightly captured behind his back, his vest and all his weapons gone; radio busted. Trapped. Scared.
It's up to me…I say the magic words…the police show up and I'm fingered as the insider; my credibility is gone and so's our case. But Jamie survives and… However, I don't say anything and Jamie dies and I'm the biggest loser in my father's eyes. Damn it kid when this is over I'm really kick your ass.
"What's your name officer?" One of them asks Jamie as he comes and stands right in front of the trapped officer; Danny's nervous gaze kept on the back of the man confronting his brother.
Jamie's brain yells at him to keep his eyes fixed on the wall ahead and dare not, even for a second, to dart in his brother's direction and give him away.
"I asked you a question!" The man snarls as he offers a stiff backhand to Jamie's already throbbing jaw; Danny's teeth clenching as Jamie's head snaps to the left but returns with a determined gaze. But Jamie's already tense insides start to ache further as the man pulls his gun, cocks it and forces it under Jamie's chin, painfully pushing his jaw upright. "I won't ask again."
"Put that away Chet. You're not in charge here," the leader, who would be later identified as Miles Fratelli, the man in charge of the deal, second to his older brother Anton; speaks up.
"I can make him talk."
"Do you have a silencer on that thing? Because one shot brings the cops and am sure my brother will be very understanding as to why you were the one who deprived him of his hard earned money," Miles Fratelli mentions calmly. "Even I'm not stupid enough to cross him."
Chet quickly swallows and lowers his weapon; his angry glare, however, still fixed on Jamie's defiant and captive frame before him. "I want some alone time with this one."
"What do we do with him?" Another asks; Danny not wanting to say too much because he knows he can't leave the room to babysit Jamie; he has to witness the deal and if he's the one to suggest they put Jamie away for safe keeping, he could jeopardize everything including his own life. Damn you Jamie! Henderson was on his way and if he missed witnessing the deal he'd be in big trouble as well; there was nearly six months of hard work resting on this moment. Hopefully they'll just put Jamie in a room and leave him there – alone – until the cops show up. That of course is the best case scenario but as he sees another man step up, he feels his inner concern starting to creep up to the fore; his mind fighting the urge to step in and protect his helpless youngest sibling. Ah damn Jamie if he doesn't kick your ass I will…that is if we both make it out of here alive!
I can't believe this is Danny's op…what if I mess it up even more? I've already messed up twice this week, Jamie's mind spirals downward as another angry looking man steps up and glares at him in dominance. I didn't know…if I did…but will I be around long enough to explain to Danny? Will he even believe me? Want to listen?
"You a tough guy?" The second man goads, Chet watching with a fixed sneer. "Didn't know they hired mute pigs to work the streets. You must be one of those special officers!" The man snickers before he delivers a hard blow to Jamie's stomach, the man behind quickly grabbing Jamie's captive arms and ensuring his body doesn't double forward but is held painfully upright as he sustains another.
"I'm thinkin' if his partner knew where he was he'd be here already," Chet snickers as he steps up, the two of them blocking Jamie's body from Danny's view. "Isn't that right tough guy? I think you're all alone here."
"And trust me, ain't no one here gonna help you," the second one named, Barry chimes in.
"Henderson is on his way!" Another pipes up as he hangs up his phone; Danny's agitation starting to soar. Do something! Something in character but you gotta stall for some kinda time. Maybe with Henderson here they'll just put Jamie on ice and then deal with it later – and hopefully later this will all be over.
"Boys…your ruining the fun for the others," Miles grins. "You gotta play fair."
There's your cue! MOVE…ACT NOW! Then without warning Danny charges up to Jamie grabs his arm and jerks him free of the man holding him captive; pulling him inches from his snarling face, all eyes on them now.
"You're an idiot you know that!" Danny growls; Jamie's gaze fixed firmly ahead; his throat wanting to swallow but being unable. "I say we put this idiot on ice until after we get our business finished and then those two clowns can do what they want. Teach him a lesson to mind his own DAMN BUSINESS!"
For a few seconds nobody talks; only Chet and Barry trading satisfied nods at Danny's bold plan. Damn this better work…Danny's mind inwardly prays as he glares at Jamie's placid expression in anger. "Now are you sorry you made this wrong ass decision?"
"Andy told me you hated cops," Miles states smugly as he steps forward and pats Danny on the back; pulling Jamie free and bringing out his gun; the only one with the silencer on it. "Course I hate them even more. What's your name officer? I will only ask once. And me you need to answer or you have mere seconds before I give you a new hole to breathe out of."
"John Doe," Jamie replies in a firm tone, earning a small snicker from Chet who quickly shuts up as Miles glares at him and then looks back at Jamie with a less than amused expression.
"Well…officer Doe," Miles starts in a low tone as he pulls back and stands beside Danny. "Bruce here hates cops as much as I do. He's not quite as reckless as Chet over there so I'm going to give him the honor…" Miles pauses as he hands Danny the gun; Danny's heart instantly exploding with fearful surprise. What the hell? "Of…"
"That's not fair," Chet huffs. "Give me the gun, I'll do it. I'll kill him!"
"I want it done swiftly and…"
"That isn't…"
"Are you questioning me?" Miles snaps as Chet promptly backs down.
"No."
"Very well then. Bruce…you get to do the honors of putting him out of my misery."
WHAT? Both Jamie's and Danny's minds scream in silent unity.
Jamie looks at the gun and then at Danny's forced angry glare and finally swallows, his mind racing now with what might happen next; his involuntary pleading expression betraying his fright to Danny in seconds. Danny can't kill me…he can't…but if he doesn't he blows his cover and he's dead and I'm dead also…or…oh damn seriously this is bad…Danny…I swear I didn't….
"Look you have…"
"I'm done listening to you officer Doe. Chet…silence him please," Miles merely states as Chet comes forward with a smile; ripping a piece off a piece of duct tape and pressing it down over Jamie's mouth, giving him a mocking pat on the cheek before pulling back. "Better."
"Get him right between the eyes," Chet snickers to Danny as Danny stands before Jamie with the weapon still slightly raised.
Oh damn this can't be happening…Danny's mind races as he looks Jamie's helpless state, his blue eyes desperately trying to hold back tears of fear; his lips now unable to even beg for his own life. I can't do this…I can't kill Jamie…I can't kill my brother! My life is forfeit if I…damn it!
Danny…I'm so sorry…but I don't want to die…please don't…
For a few split seconds, Danny's world slows to a complete halt; his father's voice now resounding in the room as everyone else fades except his captive brother and his father's figure; whisking him back to a discussion he had when Jamie first joined the NYPD.
'Danny I want you to look out for your brother.'
'I'm not a baby a babysitter. Damn kid shoulda stayed in Harvard.'
'That's not a request Danny and I'm not asking you to watch him every minute of every day. He has good instincts but much like yourself there will be times when he'll need you…times when perhaps his very life will depend on your knowledge and quick thinking.'
'If it comes down to that I'll put him out of his damn misery myself!'
'He looks up to you Danny, you know that. I'm just making a parental request. Look out for him.'
Ah damn you dad…Danny's mind curses as he looks at Jamie's defeated gaze and knows as much as he just wants to yell at his brother right now for screwing things up big time and he deserves what's coming to him, he has to reserve that angry speech for later and think fast…Jamie's very existence now depends on his next actions so there will be a later.
Okay Danny think…think fast…you can't kill him but you can't give him away either…maybe take him out back and just fake it? Beat the crap outta him? Damn…but if I give the gun to someone else they'll kill him for sure. No vest and no way to fight back. It has to be me. Damn.
"Second thoughts?"
"Thinking he might deserve a second beating first," Danny glowers at Jamie, who desperately tries to remain rigid in place.
"I get to do that!" Chet hisses.
"He's right…he did ask first," Miles reminds Danny as he nears him. "Time is of the essence here."
Damn it kid! What have you done to me! Either way you're gonna pay and I'm screwed. If I give the gun to Chet…Chet kills him. I stall for more time, Miles takes the gun and kills him. Either way Jamie's dead if I don't…wait a sec! I could wound him? He'll be pissed but he has it coming and at least I won't be…
Danny doesn't finish his reasoning as he knows he'll only talk himself out of his next surprising move. Hurting his brother…shooting him on purpose? To save his life. Either way he knows he'll incur his father's wrath but it would be the lesser of two evils since Jamie did have it coming…
So without taking another breath or allowing his heart one more tormented beat, Danny aims the gun at Jamie's left arm and fires a shot. The moment the bullet leaves the chamber he instantly curses his very existence; the silenced bullet ripping through the fleshy part of Jamie's left upper forearm arm, his non shooting arm; Jamie's body jerking instinctively in pain and quickly crumpling to his knees.
Oh what the hell did I just do? Did I just shoot my brother? This…this can't be real…someone tell me this isn't really happening!
Oh god…I can't believe he shot me…Danny shot me….Danny….
Danny lowers the gun to his side and looks at Miles with an angry glare. "I came here for money…not to be the one you peg as a cop killer! Whose idea was it to bring this pig here? WHO'S!" Danny shouts in anger; his fingers still fixed firmly around the gun. "I am nobody's stooge. I came here for the money only is that clear?"
"I say…" is all Chet manages before it's announced that Henderson is in the building.
"Take him into the back and keep him company," Miles states firmly as Danny hands him back his gun. "I'm here for the money too. We'll talk later."
"Fair enough," Danny nods as he feels his fists tighten as Chet snickers as he looms over Jamie's frame. He knows to protest further and show remorse for Jamie's condition would only raise eyebrows in his direction; if he hadn't already.
"Get him out of there now!"
"With pleasure," Chet grins as Danny's mind vows to make sure Chet gets what's coming to him afterward.
Danny can only watch in misery as Chet's hands clamp onto the fresh wound and apply cruel pressure; Jamie's eyes instantly watering and squeezing shut as his lips yell under the tape gag. "Think I'll have some fun with you," Chet sneers as he yanks Jamie's captive frame upward; his face mere inches from Jamie's. "Right now…later you'll be begging for me to kill you."
Jamie I'm sorry…just hold on a bit longer.
Danny…help me…Jamie's mind silently begs in misery as Chet and Barry each take an arm and drag Jamie's mildly thrashing frame out of the room and away from Danny's vantage point. The last image now seared into Danny's mind is that of his little brother looking at him with wide-eyed panic; the small face of a terrified little boy, begging for his older brother to rescue him from harm. Sadly that rescue would be delayed.
Okay this has to go down fast…Danny's mind chants over and over. I don't trust Chet not to kill him or worse and how could I go to my father and tell him that I was ultimately responsible for killing Jamie? My life would be over!
"Always wanted to kill me a cop!" Chet grins as his grip on Jamie's bloody wound intensifies; Jamie's arm unable to pull free; his lungs heaving into the gag as painful bursts travel down to his feet. He feels the air getting even cooler as he's dragged into another part of the underground lair and wonders if Danny will even find him. I can't even call out…his mind offers in fear as the lights get dimmer.
Finally he's pulled into a dimly lit windowless room and merely flung into the corner, landing hard on his side and praying for his head to stop spinning long enough for him to focus and at least try to fight back – if at all possible. But that plan is short lived as Barry pulls a gun at Chet's urging and aims it at him; his actions instantly halting.
Biting back a very painful gasp, Jamie scrambles to get himself to a seated position; his back firmly planted against the cold stone wall and his cuffed wrists useless. I'm utterly defenseless, his mind swirls in misery.
"Now we have some fun," Chet offers an evil grin. "And if you move pig…he shoots you dead."
Danny…you hafta hurry.
XXXXXXXX
Remain calm…remain focused…Danny's mind chants over and over as he forces himself to remain still and not fidget in place. He had glanced down the dimly lit hallway his brother's captive frame had been dragged down and prayed he could find him as soon as the deal changes hands. He looks over at Henderson and Fratelli as they make small talk about the future of their business dealings.
HURRY UP YOU MORONS! Danny's mind shouts, his lips of course offering nothing but a tight lipped expression to anyone that tried to engage him in anything more than a few words. Fratelli had the drugs in the briefcase on the table; Henderson had entered – with nothing. But that was normal. They'd talk…he'd inspect the goods…call for the cash and that would be it. Standard. Normal.
However, there was nothing normal about today's deal as not only were the future professional careers of two of the city's biggest scumbags on the line but also that of his beloved sibling; his youngest brother who had somehow ended up in the middle of his deal and now on the radar of one of the city's meanest. Damn it Jamie…how the hell did you end up here? Did you purposely come looking for trouble? As much as wants to just take Jamie out back and kick his ass personally he knows that Jamie honors the badge just as much and takes his job just as seriously. In hindsight, he knows the past two mishaps were unavoidable…so what happened today? There is no way Jamie would purposely screw this up. So then why is he here? What happened?
"Okay…shall we get started?"
Resisting the urge to offer a snide comeback, Danny just nods like the rest of the group; his mind trying not to think about the hell that Jamie's enduring right now at the hands of two idiots he wouldn't trust with anything and the fact that he, his own brother, added to his physical misery. Just hold on Jamie…I'll get you out…and then I'll kick your ass. He knows that since Jamie never gave his name, all those listening on the other end know is a uniformed cop is among them. Jackie would know Jamie's voice right? But even still…until he gives the words they wouldn't move…Damn this isn't going as planned.
XXXXXXXX
Jamie had watched Chet near him, his legs pulling back as the small room echoes with one of Chet's heartless snickers; his mind racing and praying that the deal would go down swiftly and that whatever means that Danny had to call for help would be there sooner than expected.
I don't care if they pin it on me…just let me rescued soon. Otherwise I'm dead!
"He looks scared," Chet taunts as he finally backs Jamie's captive frame into a corner and glares down at him with a daring smile. "You scared cop? Here all alone…no one can help you…no one can hear you," his tone turns dark as he grabs Jamie by the foot and yanks him away from the wall; Jamie's mind screaming as his wounded arm scrapes the ground before he manages to lift it slightly.
"And by the time help arrives…say a week from now…it'll be too late," Chet growls as he kicks Jamie in the arm, his mind exploding with pain as he tries to roll away; his lungs gasping for air and his nose flaring as he tries to take in air and control his breathing at the same time.
"Aww now don't be that way," Barry joins in as he stops Jamie from rolling away too far.
Jamie's head rests on the dirty floor; his heart racing and head spinning. His teeth clench once more as Chet's fingers clap around his wounded arm and pull him back.
AHHHHHHH Jamie's mind calls out; only sad whimpers escaping the sweaty tape gag.
"Can't hear you," Chet mocks as he rips the tape off Jamie's lips. "Beg me pig…beg me for your life."
Jamie spits out the coppery sludge of his own blood swirling around his mouth but shakes his head in defiance.
"No," he offers in a soft whisper as Chet's anger flares.
"BEG ME!"
Jamie shakes his head as Chet kneels down and grabs him by the chin and jerks his head upright. "I will make you sorry if you don't. NOW BEG ME!"
"No."
Danny's head slightly snaps up as he hears Chet yelling at Jamie from down the darkened hallway; his eyes narrowing at Miles back as he whispers something to Henderson and both laugh; a low comment about some cop showing up at the wrong time and getting what he deserves.
Ah Jamie…just hold on…damn you bastards move FASTER! Danny's mind yells in silent agony as his stomach tightens as to what shape he'll find his little brother in. Damn you Chet…am gonna kick your ass for this…
Danny watches as Fratelli opens his suitcase and Henderson takes one of the bulging white packets and makes a small slice with his knife, takes a small taste and then spits it out; looking up at Fratelli with a smile.
"Marcus," Henderson nods to a man that had been standing silently in the corner, a man that no one paid any heed until just this moment. Danny watches the other man leave the room; his mind yelling at him to move his ass because his brother's very life was depending on it; his mind trying to focus on the deal about to transpire rather than the hell his brother's enduring not that far away.
After what seems like a slow, painful eternity, Henderson's right hand man returns with his own briefcase of money. Being a hired goon, Danny didn't care that his share was small, he wasn't there really for the money; only to put away the two dirt bags who were exchanging it.
Move faster you morons! Danny's mind inwardly huffs as he tries to block out the picture of Jamie's terrified expression begging him for help; his eyes only as his lips were sealed – literally. Hold on kid…just hold on a few seconds longer.
Fratelli opens the suitcase and then looks at the sizeable pile of money and finally gives Danny what he's been waiting for – a handshake to seal the deal. He hopes that someone else will say something so that he's not the only one to be fingered later but nothing is forthcoming. Damn it, Danny's mind curses as he listens to the silence starting to mount; Fratelli and Henderson talking amongst themselves in a tone too low for the wire to pick up from his distance.
"I'll check on our guest," one of them finally pipes up and Danny wastes no time in acting.
"Well that's a wrap then…" Danny lightly growls as he gives them a nod and fixes his eyes on the money; wanting to make it seem that his attention was focused on the money right until the end.
"Yes speaking of…" Fratelli starts as Henderson closes his briefcase and prepares to leave; Fratelli pulling out a few wads of the cash to distribute amongst the men still in the room. But the next few minutes are filled with angry panic as the two hidden backdoors are suddenly pulled open and the room is stormed; Danny grabbing the money and trying to make a dash for it just as Jackie makes a mad dash for him. The goon that had said he was going to check on Jamie already in police custody.
"Police! Hands where I can see em!" She shouts as she allows him to dart into the darkened hallway, making it seem to the other two drugs dealers that he was trying to escape but it would be moot. "Who's the cop?"
"Jamie…Jackie he's shot…"
"Who shot him?"
"I did," Danny hisses as he ducks into the first room to check it, his own service piece now in his hand, his anger blazing.
"What? You…"
"Don't ask. Damn it!" Danny huffs as he darts back into the hallway and races down the dingy space with a racing heart; checking each door and finding them locked. "Damn these doors! Jamie!" Danny growls. "Who the hell was watching the alley up top?"
"Jenkins…" Jackie's voice sighs as they near the last room. "We found him dead a few minutes before we entered."
"What?" Danny gasps in shock as they enter the third room, Danny's eyes instantly fixing on the piece of bloody duct tape in the middle of the floor. He notices another pin from Jamie's uniform and clutches his fist around it before he stands back up. "Damn bastard has Jamie!" Danny growls as he looks at Jackie in panic.
"Where?"
"I think he…" is all Danny manages before the area around them is punctuated with the last sound he wanted to hear.
*BANG*
"Jamie!"
A/N: Uh oh…oh you know I had to get a wee bit more Jamie whump/Danny angst into this chappy. Can Danny save Jamie in time? What their reunion will be like? How will Danny explain to their father the wound on Jamie's arm? Will Jamie be able to explain to Danny why he was there? Hope you all liked this update and please do review before you go and thanks so much!