Ah! Sorry! About 20min past Thrusday, but here is the new chapter!
Chapter Eight
Newark, New Jersey
Damien Orlov's Hideout
20 December 2000
12:06
"This is real stupid, Williams." Danny cringed at the sound of his partner's voice in his ear as she criticized him. He ran his hand across his mouth, doing it to be seen as a nervous gesture, and talked behind it.
"I would appreciate it if we saved the comments and critiques for the questionnaire after the show." He hissed.
"Sorry." She said. "I'll be quiet now."
Danny couldn't help it when his eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Promise?" He asked.
"Just... promise you'll be careful. You know what this guy can do."
"I got you." Danny responded.
Danny was waiting outside the "office" of Damien Orlov. Remembering he was undercover, he tried to keep his excitement at bay. All this time of trying to get Orlov, and they finally had him.
Grace and Danny had been two of the first detectives that were on the Orlov case. His family had run a certain part of the Russian mob, not the whole thing, but a considerable portion of it. It was the belief of the NPD and all the other agencies helping them that if they could get Orlov, they could get the mob.
But catching Orlov was easier said than done. He turned out to be especially tricky to catch. Somehow evading raids (although thanks to Caroline know they knew how), never having any witnesses (if there were any, they were dead), and always covering his tracks (by paying guys to do it for him). Even though Danny hated his guts, he had to admit that if you are going to run a criminal enterprise, this was the way to do it.
Danny looked around the old building and frowned. They were basically in a giant warehouse like they were before, only this one had an office at the top of the stairs overlooking the rest of the warehouse. The floor was bare, with boxes with what Danny could only assume were full of illegal content. There were a couple guys with large guns walking around, but after Caroline had made the initial introduction, Danny was 50% sure they wouldn't shoot him as long as he was good.
Danny got a good glance at the hard and scare filled face of one of the goons and his number increased to 42% sure he would get out of here without being shot.
He tried to stop the shaking of his knee, going up and down as a nervous habit of his. He rationalized that even if he wasn't an undercover cop, this would be nerve racking, and if he were not a little nervous, he probably wasn't selling the part right.
"Williams!" Caroline shouted. "Get your ass up here!" She said indicating towards Orlov's office.
Danny looked at her surprised. Surprised for one that she was calling him and for two that she was so harsh in doing so. He assumed it was a part of her cover, but he had done a lot of assuming for the past thirty minutes.
Danny walked his way over to the seat where Caroline was sitted next to across from a desk. There was someone sitting in the chair sitting up next to the desk, and their seat was turned around.
"Mr. Williams." The person said in a thick Russian accent. "You have caused a lot of problems for me in the past. Luckily," he turned his chair around to face Danny, in a dramatic way that made Danny want to roll his eyes. "I am a very forgiving person." He folded his hands on the desk and indicated for Danny to start talking.
"Well," Danny said shifting in his chair. "I have found recently that the cop life is not as fulfilling as I thought it would be."
"Go on." Orlov said gesturing to Danny.
"The missus and I are going through a... rough patch. I've noticed her eyeing more expensive things than I can afford. Plus, I want to start a family. On a cop's pension? That won't happen."
Danny was very proud of his acting in that moment, and he hoped that it would be enough to convince Orlov as well. He knew going into this that there was a risk, it was the whole part of Caroline's plan that he hadn't liked. The plan working and more importantly, Danny's life, all depended on whether or not Orlov believed his story. If he didn't there was not much Grace or any other operatives could do to protect him.
Orlov looked suspicious. "How do I know you are telling the truth? That this is not some ruse?"
Caroline spoke up from the other chair. "The fact that Danny didn't turn me in should be a big indicator. That's why he went to you in the first place."
That was the other part of the plan that Danny didn't like. Everyone knew that Orlov had more than one mole in the NPD, one of them being Caroline. But even she did not know who the other mole or moles were, so they were hoping that news of Caroline's betrayal had been tight lipped as it was instructed to be kept.
As far as Danny, Grace, Rizzo, and Caroline knew, the only people that knew of Caroline's double life was them and Caroline's partner. That being said, word got around quick in the department, especially when one of their own was concerned.
"Is that so?" Orlov said looking between Caroline and Danny.
"I found out that Ms. Maxwell here had her sticky fingers in the mob. Her partner came to me with his suspicion, and I trailed her. Instead of turning her in, I told her I would keep quiet if she could get me an in with you."
Orlov seemed to be pondering this while both Danny and Grace held their breath. This could be the end for the both of them if Orlov had even a sliver of doubt. Instead, the big Russian broke into a grin.
"Mister Williams, it is not you I trust, but sweet, sweet Caroline. She has been with us for a while now, and has shown time and time again that she is not one to be messed with. If she vouches for you... then I must trust my employees."
Danny smiled widely and stuck out his hand for Orlov to shake. "Thank you, sir." He said.
Orlov took his hand, and instead of letting go right away, he looked at Danny in the eyes. "Of course, you will be closely watched, and will undergo some sort of... test."
"Of course." Danny said, Orlov finally releasing his hand.
"Well, I expect to see you two tomorrow, bright and early. As for now, take the rest of the day off. Your last night of freedom." Intending it to be a joke, Orlov gave a hearty laugh. Caroline and Danny both smiled and chuckled awkwardly, and soon made their way out of the complex. As soon as they were clear of the doors, Danny heard Grace in his ear.
"Well that was... interesting."
"More like ominous if you ask me." Danny muttered. "The man is a sociopath."
"Just you wait, detective." Caroline said patting him on the back. "It gets worse."
See you guys next Tuesday! Don't forget to leave reviews, follow, or fave!P.S. The reason why this one is a little late is because I was working all day, then decided to relax with a little reading. I started the book at 10:00 and just finished it. Time kinda went away for a while. Next week will be on time though!
