*-*-*-*-*-*-*- MagnusBane:PsychicDetective*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Chapter 7-
Boyfriend?
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Magnus-Magnus-Magnus-Magnus-Magnus *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*"So really, how is it going so far? How are you doing?" Magnus asked concerned, still seemingly checking him over for injuries
Simon gave a somewhat dismissive shrug,
"I don't know, I guess as well as can be expected"
Magnus shook his head faintly
"I must say, you are handling this remarkably well, darling; I really did not know what to expect coming in here, but it certainly wasn't this" Magnus said gesturing toward Simon, impressed, and rather proud.
He blushed slightly
"Well, I was freaking out, at first, but then, I don't know… I just looked around and saw everyone else scared and panicking and..and.. I'm adetective, I had to do something.
I had to try to keep everyone safe, and I thought panicking wasn't going to help anything so I tried to calm some people down and have just been kind of going like that ever since."
One of the women in the group nodded
"Detective Lewis has been remarkable, I don't think we'd be fairing nearly as well without him."
The others nodded, surprisingly even Raj, the accomplice. Magnus turned to him, leveling a censuring look at the man.
"And just what the hell does he have on you to get you to go along with this?"Magnus demanded
Raj shook his head slightly, eyes wide. Simon put his hand on Magnus' shoulder
"He thought it was just a hacking job. When he got here and Wallace told him the actual plan he tried to back out, but Wallace threatened to go after his sister, he has an entire file of information on Raj. We would have tried something, but Raj heard him say he had a bomb and we really don't know if that was a bluff or not, we were trying to come up with something, but we just don't know enough"
Magnus nodded somewhat sympathetically towards Raj. He started pacing a bit, putting the pieces together quickly in his head.
"Yeah, He mentioned the bomb, he's bluffing…tone wasn't right and he isn't suicidal, he's not about to blow up a building with himself in it; he's far too full of himself for that. There is no bomb, never was… it was a way to get the cell signals out. I don't know all the details, but that was his main goal.
He doesn't care about the money, that wasn't what he was after. He keeps throwing demands at Hodge, but they're just distractions, ways to keep them scrambling and buy time for whatever he's really working on. He's working with someone on the outside, and they needed the signal scrambled in this area without drawing attention.
A signal jammer is easy enough to get a hold of, if you know the right people, Which, I get the feeling, he does… but it also draws a LOT of attention. The police do it, as a matter of public security, no one asks any questions."
He paused, looking at the rest of the group, everyone but Simon were staring at him in shock,
Simon was beginning to grow used to this
"Tell me, have there been any other calls into the bank, anyone besides Hodge?"
Simon thought for a second, before his eyes widened, nodding quickly,
"Well, none that he actually answered, but there were a few of the phones out in the lobby that rang just once, it could of just been interference or someone actually trying to reach the bank through another land line, people do still have those after all, but now that you mention it… It almost seemed like he was listening for it, the first time he seemed to relax when it happened, then he didn't even look up after that, like he was expecting it…"
Magnus nodded
"Do you remember about how often it happened?"
He thought, then nodded, pointing
"Yeah, the first one was about a half hour after the cell's dropped, then once about an hour and a half later, the last time was about twenty minutes before you got here"
"Okay, okay that's good what abo-"
"Hey shut up! Wallace is coming back…oh man… he looks mad!" Raj hissed at them from near the entrance
Wallace burst back into the room, furious, gun drawn, marching right over to Magnus, Grabbing him roughly by the arm, pulling him away from the others.
"So you're not a cop, huh?"
"Ow! No, I told you I'm not a cop; I'm a club owner-"
"Yeah, than why did the negotiator ask how many hostages I have now, as if he knew there were suddenly more?"
Magnus tried pulling his arm away, but Wallace had an iron grip
"Well how the hell am I supposed to know!? I've been in here. Maybe they hacked the camera feeds, maybe he misspoke, or maybe the man is just a complete idiot!"
Wallace shook his head, squeezing his arm tighter,
"Uh huh, no, I'm not buying it. He made a few other slips too, mentioning him, meaning that there is someone specific that they are focused on. I know one of the people in this room is a cop, have suspected it for a while, I think it's you.
Also, you were in there for nearly five hours without me noticing anything? You haven't been in here this entire time, there's no way. I don't think me finding you was an accident. You had it planned out;you had me good, not going to lie.
So, why would someone willingly wander into a bank heist if they weren't a cop?"
"Well I don-"
"Because he's my boyfriend!"
The entire room turned to stare at Simon
"What?" Wallace asked, clearly confused, but looking less homicidal
Simon shrugged, nodding slightly, hazarding a step closer,
"Yeah…w-well, I was on the phone with him when the robbery started. See, the line was really long and I just wanted to talk to him this morning, and so I called to chat and then you guys burst in.
He got here and I guess he didn't have that much confidence in the negotiator so he snuck in to try to help. But he is just a civilian, I'm the cop they were referring to, well, detective, with the SBPD. I have my shield right here in my jacket if you don't believe me. Just leave the rest of them alone, please? Don't hurt any of them."
Wallace was staring at him like he grew a second head. Two phones in the lobby rang in quick succession, breaking the momentary silence.
He let go of Magnus, who quickly moved over by Simon putting his arm around him and kissing his cheek. Simon hugged him back a bit, blushing slightly.
Looking at the two Wallace seemed torn between amused and baffled,
"So… you are actually just a club owner and decided to try sneaking into a bank during a robbery in progress to protect your detective boyfriend? Seriously?"
Magnus huffed a bit, rolling his eyes, gesturing animatedly
"Hey, you have been on the phone with that moronic jackass Starkweather for the last four hours;
Situation reversed, would YOU trust him with a loved-one's life?"
Wallace snorted a bit, nodding in agreement. Magnus raised his eyebrow, tilting his head with a faint smirk,
"Also, I didn't just 'try' to sneak in; I'm here now, aren't I?"
Wallace chuckled, giving a slight nod,
"Yeah…yeah you are. How did you manage that, anyways? They have the place surrounded"
Magnus gave a dismissive shrug
"Actually, they have the front and back doors covered, but there is no one on the side of the building. I picked the lock on the fire exit and came in that way"
Wallace gave a bark of a laugh, seemingly rather impressed
"Gotta admit, that's pretty good…So what was your plan once you actually got in here?"
Magnus gave a slightly sheepish look,
"Uh…well… I didn't really have one beyond find him and the others, but I couldn't just sit around doing nothing… and I sure as hell couldn't count on that guy out there to keep them safe, so…" he trailed off with an awkward shrug
Wallace shook his head slightly
"You are completely insane, you know that, right?"
Simon snorted,
"Oh, you don't even know the half of it" Simon chimed in rolling his eyes affectionately
"I don't even think this is the craziest thing he's done thisweek!"
"Hey! I'm rescuing you here, don't insult me!" Magnus snapped in the sassiest tone he could manage, playing it up a bit
The man seemed rather amused by his antics, seemed a better option than ready to kill. Also, the phones ringing were clearly a signal, Wallace relaxed the second they rang, whatever they were working, it was done.
Magnus figured he'd play the hunch, and hopefully be able to get them out. Turning back towards Wallace,
"Look, I really don't know what your plan was for today, but I don't think you just wanted to torment or hurt a bunch of innocent people. As of yet, everyone is healthy and unharmed, if rather frightened and slightly traumatized.
Just stop this, let us all go, and everyone can walk away. They have the doors covered, but like I said the side is clear, if you let the hostages out, split them up, and send them out both doors, then you can slip out the fire exit and be gone before they even realize it.
Everyone's happy and we can all just put this mess behind us."
He looked thoughtful for a moment, nodding slightly
"You know, you are a lot smarter than you look"
Magnus huffed, giving a sarcastic smile,
"Gee, thanks, so you'll consider it?"
Wallace laughed slightly, then gave a bit of a smile, it wasn't a nice smile,
Uh oh, he may have overplayed his hand
"Well, it really is a good plan… but the only thing is I'd kinda be left with no insurance. Can't really have that, can I? Tell you what, I'll use your plan, but I'm taking one hostage with me, just in case things turn on me. I'll be nice though, you all can choose who-"
"I'll go" Magnus said before he could even finish the sentence
"No you won't; Iwill" Simon said authoritatively
Magnus shook his head
"Simon, you can't"
He stepped forward, shaking his head, cutting Magnus off,
"Magnus, I have to. The rest of these people have been through hell today, you are a civilian, I'm not putting anyone else in danger, I will not do it…I am the only option, that's it."
"Well, looks like it's decided than" Wallace said menacingly
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Alec-Alec-Alec-Alec-Alec *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*"What the HELL did you just do!?" Raphael demanded lunging towards Hodge
Hodge shook his head emphatically
"I-I didn't-"
Alec stopped the younger man, but just barely, putting himself once again between the two. Turning to glare at his former mentor
"Hodge, you may have just cost the lives of an officer and a civilian, if not every hostage in that building, just because you were too stubborn, prejudiced and arrogant to take advice from someone because they were gay. You have done NOTHING today but make this worse.
If anything happens to either of them, I will see that you are brought up on disciplinary charges. I will report every SINGLE misstep I have ever seen, every derogatory comment. Every. Last. One.
I will personally make sure that your career is over. Because if this is how you handle situations, if this is how you 'protect' the public, If this is the best you can do?
You have absolutely no business being in law enforcement, if you ever even did to begin with."
He turns away from the man, back to the rest of the officers standing nearby
"Be sure the medics are ready, get into position to breach, make sure the exits are covered, if we hear any shots we are going in, be ready. Someone, who is not Hodge, try to get a line into the bank, check for sight lines-"
"Hey, look!" one of the officers said
"What?"
Glancing towards the door they could see movement.
"It's the hostages, they're out!"
A group of six emerged from the building, hands up; Magnus was at the front of the group. They all looked terrified, but physically okay. The onlookers, terrified family members, and emergency personnel surged forward, checking them over, it was total chaos.
Alec and Raphael reached Magnus, Raphael grabbing his friend in a nearly crushing hug. Alec put his hand on Magnus back, assuring himself that he was out, he was okay,
Magnus was okay.
Magnus pulled away slightly, looking terrified and apologetic
"Raph, I'm SO sorry, I- I couldn't get Simon out, Wallace insisted on taking a hostage with him, he snuck out the side door five minutes ago. H-he wouldn't let anyone else go, I tried to go in his place, but Simon wouldn't let me! Oh my god, I am SO sorry!"
"You what?!" Alec demanded, turning Magnus to face him, then paused
He'd never seen Magnus this upset, he reached forward clutching Alec's arm desperately, shaking his head, he was trembling slightly
"A-Alecwe have to get him back! I don't know what Wallace was doing, what he was working on, but whatever it was, he succeeded so far. But he isn't going to let him go, whoever he took with him, he isn't planning on letting them leave alive.
EVERYTHING I saw of him said that he's working something else. He's not done yet. He'll keep him alive till he's finished whatever his actual goal for today was, b-but after that?
If we do not find Simon before he finishes whatever him and his accomplices are working on, we will not find him alive."
Alec took a deep breath
"What can you tell me about this, anything that might help?"
Magnus closed his eyes, trying to focus
"H-he, before he left he made a call from the bank line, the person on the other end said it shouldn't take more than three hours to move everything. Wallace said he'd be there in thirty minutes.
There is no bomb, it was a distraction, but he left a few packages scattered around the bank, so the bomb squad will have to investigate every one, it will buy them hours. It's a distraction, trying to slow us down.
The bomb threat and hostage situation were completely intentional, Wallace is the one that called in the robbery and threat. They wanted the Cell jammers in place,in this particular area, without arousing suspicion. That was the best way, they were targeting something else in the radius, I don't know what yet, and I really don't care right now, we need to get to Simon,
We need to find where he is, right now!"
"We will" Raphael said unwaveringly
Magnus turned back to him
"Darling, I am SO sorry I failed-"
Raphael stopped him, shaking his head
"Magnus, you didn't fail, you got everyone else out. Of course Simon wouldn't let the guy take anyone else as a hostage, I think you tend to forget that under all the cute awkwardness, and sweetness, he IS a detective, and he is one of the most protective, least selfish people I've ever met. He wouldn't put someone else in danger, not if he could in any way help it."
Magnus nodded slightly
"Raph, you should have seen him in there… He protected everyone, he kept the others calm, I've never seen anyone so calm under pressure, I have totally underestimated the man."
Raphael gave a slight smile,
"I kind of think we all have, he really is the most amazing person…We have to get him back."
Alec nodded
"We will."
"I think the best thing to-"
"Hey, wait, what is HE doing!?"
Magnus interrupted, pointing over to a man in the group of hostages being brought over from the other side.
"That was Wallace's accomplice, Raj something, He was in on it, don't let him leave!"
Alec and Hodge quickly moved over to intercept him at the same time, bombarding the younger man with questions. Magnus turned back to Raphael, looking over his best friend, worried.
"How did it go when I was in there, anything of importance happen out here?"
Raphael thought, shaking his head slightly
"No… not too much… I pissed Hodge off so much we nearly came to blows, Alec broke it up, and basically all but came out to Hodge. He did stand up to the man, which was actually rather impressive. He seems back to normal, which means I feel a lot more confident about our chances of getting Simon back.
Oh, also Hodge is kind of convinced that you and Alec are sleeping together. Alec kind of read him the riot act about making assumptions about you just because of how you look or act, and he complimented you, like, a LOT. He was extremely protective of you, and totally infuriated that someone would assume that the only reason he'd listen to you is if you were sleeping together;
It was kind of annoyingly endearing really, how affronted he was on your behalf."
Magnus gave a bit of a laugh in spite of the situation
"Ah, so, not much, huh?"
Raphael shrugged a bit, somewhat back to his old self
"Nope, not really"
Magnus shook his head a little
Their attention was drawn to the confrontation between Hodge, Alec, and Raj. Walking over Alec and Hodge stepped towards them, both looking apologetic; it was really rather unsettling, seeing something other than arrogance and condescension on Hodge.
This did not bode well...
He shook his head faintly,
"It's no use, he isn't talking, he won't answer any questions until he has a written, signed, witnessed assurance of full immunity…" Hodge said, almost sounding empathetic, shaking his head
Magnus gasped angrily,
"W-what…but that will take far too much time!"
"I know, but there isn't a whole lot more we can do at this point." Alec said, guiltily
Raphael moved forward
"You know… why don't you let me talk to him a second?" Raphael asked, in an oddly polite tone
Hodge snorted slightly, raising his eyebrow
"And what, exactly, do you think you can do?" some of the smugness and condescension coming back, it was oddly comforting
Raphael just gave him a sharp, dangerous, smile before turning back to Alec, tilting his head faintly
"Alec, do you have anything he can write on?"
That tone kind of scared Alec…It seemed polite enough, but there was just something else there that was completely unsettling
He cautiously reached into his pocket, pulling out a pen and a small note pad
"Sure, here you go…" he said, cautiously
Raphael flashed a quick smile, eyes glinting dangerously,
"Thank you, detective"
Yeah… that tone kind of sent a chill up Alec's spine
He turned to Magnus, slipping off his suit jacket, handing it to him
"Hold this a second, will you?"
Magnus took it, somewhat warily. Raphael turned from them, calmly walking over to where Raj was standing. He flashed a bit of a smile at Raj, but it is not, in any way, nice.
He placed his hand lightly on the other man's shoulder, leans in close, and quietly says something nearly right directly into his ear.
Raj pales, eyes widening,
Raphael hands him the notepad and pen. Raj hurriedly writes something out, he is shaking slightly and keeps glancing up nervously at Raphael, who just stands there waiting patiently until he is done writing.
Raj cautiously holds the pad out to Raphael. He reaches forward, grabbing the pad back, as he takes the pad, Raj flinches away slightly, taking a few stumbling steps back, nearly ending up on the ground.
Raphael comes back over to Magnus and Alec, holding the pad up,
"Here's the address where we will find Wallace, let's go"
Alec shakes his head with a slight laugh,
Magnus smiles proudly.
Hodge stares in shock for a second before moving to block their path
"Where the hell do you think you're going?"
"We are going to get Simon back" Raphael says, dead calm
Hodge shakes his head,
"Look, I am sorry about him still being stuck out there, and as soon as we can, the task force can move to get him, but there is still an active bomb threat, the roads are closed, I can't let you all leave, I won't!"
Turning towards Alec he continues,
"Alec this is insubordination, if you leave, run off chasing nothing, if you go off with a couple civilians on a wild goose chase just because of the word of some flamboyant, over the top psychic I'll-"
"Oh, shut up Hodge! Enough!You have got to lose the blinders and actually see what is going on. This isn't some wild goose chase, we're not chasing shadows, and this isn't for 'nothing'.
Simon is my partner. How is it you're not getting this!? He risked his life protecting all those people in there, and because of YOUR mistakes, he is still in danger. I'm not wasting another second listening to you. I'm not standing around, doing nothing while god knows what is happening to him.
Magnus is the ONLY one here today that has made any progress on this whatsoever. These 'civilians' are the only ones who found any leads, they got a location:I am going with them, we are getting him back. That is what I have to do; you do whatever you have to.
He's my partner…His life means a hell of a lot more than my record; if you can't understand that, than you aren't even half the man I thought you were.
Now get the hell out of my way."
Hodge moves over, looking totally dumbfounded
"Come on, let's go get him back" Alec says assertively, turning to the others
"You are SO sexy right now!" Magnus exclaims
He grabs Alec and pulls him down capturing his lips in a quick, enthusiastic kiss
"Let's MOVE guys!" Raphael shouted at them
"R-Right"
"Coming, darling"
They both answer at the same time rushing towards Alec's car
Alec tells himself the racing heart, breathlessness, and light headedness is just from the adrenaline
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*-*-*-*-*-*-*- MagnusBane:PsychicDetective*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
