NINE
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor did I create, any of the A-team characters (main or support) nor do I own, nor did I create, any of the episodes. That credit is due to Stephen J. Cannell and his associates. Any familiar catch phrases or settings also belong to the Cannell team.
Spoiler Alert: References characters, locations, plot, and revelations from Season 3 Episode 11 "The Bells of St. Mary's". including but not limited to St. Mary's School, Angels Guardians, Sr. Catherine, Billy Rey King, Charlotte King, The Bells, Dave Luna, and Zeke Westerland.
Timothy, Miss Chambers, Coach Boggs, Sr. Ruth, Sr. Paulette, Mr. Scott, and Ms Westerman, Wallace Westerman are my OCs as are any of the assorted students at St. Mary's.
Author's Notes: Thank you for returning to my story. I appreciate your continued interest and apologize for the overly extended time period since my last posting. My muse seemed to have gone AWOL but we have managed a reunion. I have a plan for the final crescendo of this piece in my mind and hope to wrangle it on to these cyber pages soon.
Summary: The Team baits their trap.
Return to St. Mary's: A Case Close to Their Hearts: by LAGC
Chapter Nine: Priming the Pump
Sister Catherine took his vacated seat and looked expectantly at Hannibal. Her expression and demeanor demanding immediate candor. A childhood of responding to that countenance caused Faceman to begin an explanation. He brought Sister Catherine up to speed on everything they had uncovered.
"So the niece of that horrible man, Zeke Westerland, is behind all the troubles we've been having at the school. His nephew set fire to the Snack Shack and did the damage to the lockers and me? The sin runs deep in that family." Sister said when Face concluded his story.
Then turning her attention back to Hannibal she asked,"I trust you have a plan, Mr. Smith. I believe you were about to unveil it when I interrupted."
"Yes Sister I do. We are going to lure the vermin in and cage them up."
"Exactly how?" a new voice asked from the door which had been left ajar.
Everyone's eyes turned once again to the doorway, this time occupied by Lily Chambers.
Hannibal groaned and reached into his cigar pocket. "First thing the A-team is doing after this case is getting our hearing checked and then deep training to heighten and re-hone it." he mumbled to Face, who shrugged resignedly.
Lily pulled a desk chair up next to Sister Catherine and placed a reassuring grasp onto the nun's hands.
"Ok Hannibal EVERYONE is here now. Lay out your plan." BA impatiently demanded.
And that's just what the Colonel did.
# # # # #
The next morning at the strike of 9 am Face and Lily walked into the local radio station JYRP. Face had wrangled a complimentary chunk of airtime to advertise the auction. Charlotte was waiting for them in the lobby. Greetings were exchanged and Face passed out the scripts he had written.
"Ok Ladies, are you both comfortable with your parts?" he asked.
They nodded as they scanned their sheets.
"Are you sure about this, Face?" Lily asked.
'You were there when Hannibal laid out his plan. This fits right in with that." Face replied. Then smiled to himself that she had used his familiar nickname.
Just then the DJ came out to greet and meet them. "Hello there, Folks. I'm Ed Medeiros aka Early Eddie of the Airwaves. The morning DJ here at JYRP."
Everyone shook hands and Face made the proper introductions. Early Eddie scanned their script and declared it airwaves ready. Then he led the group into the studio. Their time slot was scheduled for 9:15 am. Right on cue Early Eddie launched into Face's script.
"Good Morning LA. Sure hope you're enjoying waking up to the smooth sounds JYRP is sending out to you this morning. We'll be right back to the hip shaking and shoulder rocking melodies in a few moments but first I'd like to turn over my mike to raise your awareness of a local event that we here at JYRP and our listeners should go out and support. Here to tell you more is none other than the lead singer of the platinum selling singing group The Bells, Miss Charlotte King herself!"
"Well thank you Early Eddie for such a warm welcome. I'm here today to talk about the Charity Auction for Saint Mary's School. My brother and I are both alumni of the school and hold it very dear to our hearts. The school is raising funds to rebuild and expand their campus. This coming Friday night, I will be the master of ceremonies at the auction after which I will perform a concert."
"That certainly sounds like an exciting night and a righteous cause. What are the details, Miss King?"
"Well Eddie, I"ll let Miss Lily Chambers of St. Mary's fill in all those blanks."
"Thank you Charlotte. The auction will be taking place on Friday night at 7:30 and be followed by your concert for those in attendance. We hope to raise our financial goal through the small entry fee and the auction itself. We have many desireable items and services up for bid. But the pièce de résistance of the inventory is the authentic Gold record of The Bells hit song "Right Straight into my Heart" autographed by you and your fellow Bells."
"It was our pleasure to donate it to your worthy cause. I've enjoyed seeing the students admiring it while its been on display in the Trophy Hall at the school. I hope they wont miss it too much once it is sold to the most generous bidder tomorrow night."
"Well they have one more day to admire it. We will remove it tomorrow morning when we put the final organizing touches in place for the evening events."
"Ok Listeners you heard these fine ladies. Make your way over to St Mary's tomorrow night. Tickets are still available at the school and the door. You'll get a melodious concert from Miss King and while you're there bid on the wonderful merchandise. Who knows, if you're generous enough, you could walk out with The Bells first Gold Record. The song that announced and cemented their reign as Pop goddesses. I"ll play that song right now to further inspire you all."
Back in the lobby Face congratulated the women on their perfect performances. Charlotte expressed concern about announcing to the world where the record was. Face assured her once again that this revelation is exactly what Hannibal wanted.
"Won't Brenda and her goons make a run for it? What about the kids at school?" Charlotte fretted.
"BA, Murdock, and Hannibal haven't let the school out of their sight. I'll be back there too in less than fifteen minutes. Don't worry. We have it all under control. The next part is going to be a piece of cake." Face replied.
"And Sister Catherine has declared today an half day dismissal and tomorrow a no classes day so the school can be readied for the auction and show. The kids will not be in the danger zone." Lily added.
They parted in the parking lot Charlotte returned to her hotel while Face and Lily headed to the school.
# # # # #
"Good to have you back Lieutenant! I heard the radio piece...NICE. That ought to shake the chimes on Westerland"s niece's alarm clock." Face beamed under his Colonel's praise.
"Murdock and BA are out by the batting cages. Go help them finish up our surprise for our expected uninvited guests." instructed Hannibal
"All right, Colonel." Face responded as he placed his suit jacket in Sr. Mary's office and rolled up his sleeves.
"What can I do Hannibal?" asked Lily.
"Right now the best place for you is the main office. You know the families and the support staff. Keep an eye out for any unfamiliar people or odd activity. Use the walkie-talkie in there to let us know immediately if you see anything awry."
Lily went off to monitor the door and the security cameras that BA had installed earlier that morning. The students were dismissed at 11:30 and by 11:45, after a thorough sweep by Sr. Catherine, all children and staff had vacated the building.
"Lieutenant you're back inside. I trust that means that all the preparations are in place." Hannibal challenged as Face, Murdock, and BA entered the trophy hall.
"Yes Colonel, Operation Cracker Jack is ready to be deployed at any moment" Murdock quickly responded, cutting off Face
"Ok team. Now we wait for Brenda and Crew to make their move." declared a jazzing Hannibal.
"Sister, please, reconsider and go wait at Angels Guardians until we complete this mission." pleaded Face.
"Now Templeton, don't start up again. And I grew immune to those baby blues many moons ago. I am staying right here. I promise to keep inside my office behind a locked door but I will be on campus watching through BA's cameras."
"Ill be with her too." vowed Lily.
"Alrighty then. Let's all grab some quick grub then take our places. The next move belongs to the slimeballs but I have a feeling they wont make us wait long." said Hannibal
(Meanwhile at Brenda's **************************)
"Oh my, did you just hear that radio announcement?" asked Scott asked incredulously.
"Of course I did. For once listening to that foul station has paid off." sneered Brenda. "We have just found our opportunity. Call my idiot brother and tell him to meet us at your office."
One hour later Brenda had laid out her scheme to Scott and Wally.
"Are you sure about this? Going in there in broad daylight? Why don't we wait until tonight and just go in and grab it then?" asked Wally.
"Because you jackass, you've already tried that and failed miserably!" hollered Brenda. "No, this time I am going along to supervise and make sure you don't screw up again."
"The A-team is sure to be lurking around guarding the place." warned Scott cautiously.
"I'm sure they are. That's why I'm going to keep the nun very busy. She will be our insurance policy." hissed Brenda.
Author's note: *****************
I based the title of the fictional Bells' song "Right Straight into my Heart" from the lyrics being sung by the women in the Season 3 Episode 11 "The Bells of St. Mary's. As always I neither created nor own any of it. All credit due to Mr. Cannell and his associates.
