Title: Right Next Door
Chapter 10 - Dance with the Devil
"Thanks for the update and hope this rouse works," Sinclair tells Mac as Mac pushes himself up to leave. "Any luck on finding a new place yet?"
"Been too busy working," Mac offers.
"Where are you staying?"
"At a friends, goodnight," Mac offers in haste; wanting to take his leave before his boss can question his actions with his partner. However, he doesn't escape one last comment.
"Mac?"
"Sir?"
"I'm glad you have friends to take care of you during this time."
"Right."
"Goodnight," Sinclair offers as Mac finally takes his leave and heads for his office to gather a few things and then hurry to see Stella. She had let the word home slip and he couldn't help but feel his lips curl into an automatic smile and his heart beat a bit faster. Sinclair had to stress the word friend and he was right, Stella was his best friend. But before he could allow his mind to dwell on the tone in Sinclair's voice, Ian's comforting words quickly came to mind and his heart started to slow. Time to get home, his brain forced another smile to his lips as he makes it to his office and reaches for his coat as Danny and Lindsay walk past.
"Now we haven't seen that smile in days," Lindsay notes, her husbands arm wrapped firmly around her waist.
"Heading off to a hot date Mac?" Danny winks.
"No he has to fill out insurance papers tonight," Lindsay smiles. "But I'm guessing Stella could help with that?"
"Sure but what insurance papers? I did that already."
"AIG called and said they wanted to know where they could drop off the papers tonight?" Lindsay frowns.
"Big Mac has too much on his mind," Danny smiles as Mac looks at them in horror before pulling his phone.
"I use...Allstate..." Mac mumbles as he dials Stella's number racing for the stairs, realizing that whoever made that call might now hold his partner's life in their hands. "Call Flack! Tell him to meet me at Stella's!" Mac shouts as he disappears into the stairwell, leaving a bewildered Danny and Lindsay to just call Flack and wonder what on earth is going on.
"Please move inside, I don't want to hurt you," Monty lightly demands as he pushes Stella into her apartment and slams the door shut. "Now put your phone and gun on the table."
"How do I know you won't hurt me?" She asks firmly.
"Damn it just put them on the table!" Monty growls as Stella turns to face him, her hand on her hip.
"What is going on?"
"Do you know who I am?"
"The bastard who burned my friend!"
"Which one?" Monty asks with a sneer.
"Brunette."
"She got in the way...now listen, I know who killed Trent Allen and Paul Chan," Monty admits. "Now please...just..." Monty starts as Stella's phone rings.
She quickly pulls it but Monty lunges and knocks it from her hand, causing the two of them to land on the floor in a scuffle. Monty feels Stella punch him in the jaw but he manages to push land a hand to her stomach, pushes her back and gets himself back up and smashes her phone with his boot.
"Please...I just need you to listen."
"You are wanted for murder and attempted murder," Stella informs him with anger in her voice. "That was my partner. Now me not answering means he's going to come charging through that door and shoot first and ask questions later. That is if I don't kill you first!"
"I didn't kill those people...Jake yes but...not the others," Monty insists as he pulls out a tape recorder and fairly tosses it at Stella's feet. "Gus Myer is the man you want. He and Jake Burns were in on this."
"You set those fires," Stella barks as she glares up at him in anger.
"I did."
"Why?"
"I love to watch things burn, but my time is up..."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm a dead man," Monty offers in contempt. "I have a week or so to live and that's it. And I refuse to spend my last few minutes on this wretched planet breathing foul air in a prison cell."
"Monty..." Stella starts and Monty cocks the gun and Stella stops moving.
"Please don't," Monty tries again.
"Half this state wants your ass for the attempted murder of Ian Davidson. Why did you want to kill him?"
"He reminded me of my father," Monty huffs as he pulls the door behind him back open. He hears the sirens and then panic takes over. "Damn it!"
"No where to go Monty except to jail."
"Can't...can't be caught...alive," he mumbles as he starts to back toward the door.
Stella waits for Monty to be momentary distracted before she rushes him. He turns just in time to feel another punch land on his stomach but is quick to counter and pushes her back to the floor before he turns and heads back out, slamming the door behind him. Stella quickly pushes herself back up to her feet, chasing after him. She rushes to the stairwell and then listens as he runs down them; herself in pursuit.
"Damn it," she hears him curse as he busts through the back fire door and into his waiting sedan, peeling away into the night just as Mac races into her apartment through the front door and up the regular front stairs. Stella offers her own ethnic curse as she quickly turns around and heads up the back fire stairs, needing to call Mac and then play the evidence that was left for her.
"Stella!" Mac calls as he rushes for her front door, noting it open, his gun already drawn and ready. He right arm forces the door all the way open, having it slam into the wall behind it and notices her gun on the floor and smashed phone beside a small tape recorder; his heart about to explode.
"Stella!" Mac calls out again as he races into her bedroom to see if she's there and then into his. He hears movement in the main living area and rushes back out just as she heads back in.
"Mac!"
"Oh thank god," he whispers with a heavy sigh as he rushes up to her and pulls her into his embrace. "What happened?"
"He was just here," she tells Mac. "Monty Jamison was just here."
Mac quickly stuffs his gun back into its holster and looks at her in concern. "Are you okay?" He gently asks, cupping her face with his warm hands. Her green eyes hold fright and worry and her body is still lightly shaking, but to sooth his mind she offers a nod and a tight lipped smile.
"That son of a bi..."
"Mac, he didn't hurt me. Really I'm fine," she tries to assure him.
"My turn not to believe you," he whispers, planting a warm kiss on her cheek just as Flack rushes into the room, Sullivan in tow.
"He's gone...you guys okay?" Flack asks in haste. "Lindsay sounded pretty frantic."
"Monty Jamison left this for us," Stella informs the three men as she bends down and picks up the small tape recorder. "Said Gus Myer is our guy."
"Play the tape," Mac directs.
'Detective Mac Taylor, this is for you. My name is Monty Jamison and the reason I am giving this to you is to be able to set the record straight. This tape is going to give you the confession of Gus Myer killing Paul Chan. I killed Jake Burns and Jake Burns killed Trent Allen. It was all over gambling money and drugs, two things that Gus Myer deals in. I am dying Detective Taylor, which is why I am even bothering bringing this to you. I did try to murder Ian Davidson because that old bastard reminded me of my father and I hated my father more than anything that has ever existed. However, I am responsible for Trevor Duke's unfortunate demise; that young man died by mistake and it wasn't my wish to see him harm. For that I am sorry. Tell Ian, if he lives, Trevor was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I give you my word that I will not start any more fires if you arrest Gus Myer. If he goes free, so do I...'
The three of them listen to the rest of the tape and true to Monty's opening words, the tape has the confession where Gus admitted to knifing and then setting the body of Paul Chan on fire. As well as a few other snippets from previous confessions from Jake Burns and Trent Allen.
"Oh what a tangled web we weave," Stella notes.
"Happy little trio."
"Yeah good thing I'm not into threesomes," Flack frowns. "So I'll take that, we'll go get an arrest warrant for Gus and everyone lives happily ever after."
"Do you still have a tail on Myer?" Mac questions.
"No, he ditched him. Don't worry, we'll get him again."
"Think this guy will stick true to his word and not set anymore damn fires?" Sullivan wonders.
"Think he might want to go out with a bang," Mac replies, "which his why he's also high on your priority list."
"Gee thanks we get all the fun stuff," Flack retorts as he turns to take his leave. "Need me to post a guard?"
"Thanks Don, we'll be fine," Mac answers for both of them.
Mac waits for Flack and Sullivan to leave before gently closing the door and looking at Stella in concern. She hurries into his embrace and he just holds her close in silence for as long as she needs.
"They're gone Stella, how are you really?" Mac asks gently.
"Mac when he said his name all I could picture was him dousing me with gasoline and then lighting a match," she offers in quiet remorse, her eyes now watery. "Or you...but it was only for..."
"Stella, you were scared, you don't need to justify that to me," Mac whispers warmly before he gently cups her face in both his hands and looks at her with a loving smile. "I love that fact that you can trust me enough to let me see the more vulnerable side of you."
"Just like you do?"
"Yes," Mac smiles warmly as he tenderly kisses her lips.
"Think Flack will find Myer?"
"I don't think this city will be big enough once the bulletin is out."
"But his Station House..." her voice trails off.
"Trust me Stella, he's as good as caught," Mac states fatefully not knowing his words would be furthest from the truth.
"Damn it!" Scott Thurber curses as he quickly calls Gus on his cell phone.
"What!" Gus barks in anger.
"Those two damn cops were here just now looking for you," Scott tells him in haste.
"Taylor and Bonasera?"
"No, Flack and Sullivan, tweedle dee and tweedle dough boy. And apparently they have an arrest warrant with your name on it. Gus, what the hell is going on? You said it was just some stupid banter back and forth between you and Taylor."
"It is and Taylor is lying. He's on a witch hunt and this is the end result. I am innocent in all this. Look I need your help, I have to take care of something..."
"You kill Taylor and..."
"I'm not going to kill Taylor. I want someone else's ass right now!"
"What is going on Gus?"
"I just need to take care of something. Now I need you..."
"I am not killing a cop for you."
"I don't want you to kill him. Just do exactly what I am paying you to do. Give Taylor a little taste of his own medicine."
"Better not get me fired!"
"I'll double my offer. I just need him out of the way for a few hours. Be creative."
"You owe me big time for this," Scott reminds him firmly.
"And I'll make good. I swear to you."
"Fine. Just make your ass scarce already. Seriously leave the damn state for a bit."
"Can't yet...still one more debt to be paid."
"Forget about Monty Jamison!"
"He dies next and that's final. Just take care of Mac Taylor for a few hours! I have already ditched the tail; I just need Taylor's people looking for him instead of me. Now make it happen!"
Mac changes into something more comfortable and then goes in search of Stella. He notices she's not in her bedroom and heads for the kitchen, finding her standing with his back to her, staring at nothing in particular. He wraps his strong arms around her, holding her close, planting a warm kiss on her neck. Stella closes her eyes, relishing in the warmth from Mac's body pressed against hers, and smiling when he kisses her once more.
"Probably won't sleep tonight," she mentions, slowly opening her eyes.
Mac offers a slight frown as he slowly turns her around to face him, his arms still wrapped around her waist. "And you get after me for being stubborn."
"Who do you think I learned it from?" She retorts with a soft smile.
"I expected the worst when Lindsay told me what happened."
"How did he find us?"
"Passed himself off as a phony insurance agent."
"Scary how trusting we all really are," Stella notes.
"Scarier given the fact that we are both cynics," Mac states, finally forcing her to look up at him with a wondering glance.
"In everything?"
"Why do you think it's taken us this long to really connect?" Mac ponders and she suddenly offers a warm kiss on his lips.
"I'm not cynical when it comes to us, just the world in general," she tells him and he smirks.
"Are you okay?" Mac wonders with a slightly worried expression.
"It's okay Mac. I think part of me can understand the pain and hatred that Monty Jamison carries with him. I was always thankful, even to this day, that I never suffered any physical or sexual abuse as others did and can't really fault them for growing up with hatred and wanting to get even. I won't condone what Monty has done, but after hearing his story and then putting together a few other pieces, I think I can understand. He was alone, always alone. Something I actually feared I would be."
"Stella, you'll never be alone. As long as I am in your life you'll never have that kind of feeling inside; at least I pray I never make you feel that way."
"Never Mac." Stella looks up at him with a loving smile. "And now neither of us will ever be alone again Mac."
"I love you, I always will."
Monty stared at the small picture of his father, a constant reminder of the hatred that he keeps inside, the motivating force behind most of his daily actions. He feels his hatred starting to swell once more but then quickly pulls out a picture of Fred and feels his tension starting to ease a little. "You have to help me through this Fred. Together we can't make things right and then I'll be with you and we'll both have peace."
He takes another drag of his cigarette as he sits outside Gus Myer's shabby home. His father's angry voice constantly telling him he'll never amount to anything and when he dies his name will be worthless is always playing around in his head. Monty has as of late sat and reflected on his life and how he would go out; now with such a short window he knows one thing for sure. He'll go out with everyone knowing his name.
"You're next Gus and then I can go and die in peace. Something I have never had since I drew my first breath."
'Oh light the fire and hold on tight...the world is burning down...'
"Morning," Mac whispers as he kisses her warm cheek as he greets her before they get ready to leave for the day.
"Mmm morning Mac," she smiles. "Almost as good as shower Mac," she states and he smiles. "Think we'll wrap this up today?"
"I think today is going to be a lot quieter than the previous days and we can now let Flack worry about the chase, unless that chase produces another dead body."
"Either Myer or Jamison would suit me just fine," Stella states.
"Ohhh a little vindictive this morning, Detective Bonasera?" Mac teases. "Too much sleep."
"Funny," she smiles as she kisses him once more to get their day started.
XXXXXXXX
"Okay I am going to head over to Ian's Fire House and just see what other evidence they gathered from the house fire that we were trapped in. I have a feeling that we haven't seen the last of Monty Jamison's handiwork," Mac tells Stella as he pulls into underground parking lot of their building sometime later.
"Well I hope they have found Gus Myer," she frowns. "I don't trust him not to do something agasint Mac."
"Trust me Stella, he's gunning for Monty Jamison now, not me."
"Just be careful. I still think he's going to do something stupid."
"I'll be fine."
Stella offers Mac a weak smile but inside an uneasy feeling starts to develop as they both get out of the truck. Mac hurries to the back and puts on his CSI jacket and work boots, causing Stella to arch a brow in wonder.
"Dressing down?" She quips.
"Might have to go back to the actual scene," he smiles as he finishes and then heads back to her. He plants a quick kiss on her cheek and then turns to head back to the drivers side. "I'll call on my way back."
"I've heard that before," she counters and he just smirks as he gets into the truck. Stella heads for the elevator to go up wondering how the final act between Monty Jamison and Gus Myer will actually play out. "Where are you Monty?"
"You damn bastard!" Gus yells at Monty over the phone. "Where the hell are you? I am at the place you told me to meet you!"
"Thought you could play me right?" Monty counters.
"You turned them on me!" Gus shouts back. "Talking to the damn cops!"
"You did that yourself by getting me involved in the first place!"
"It was your match that killed Davidson's nephew remember?"
"What do you want Gus?"
"I want you to take your money and get the hell out of my life!"
"Well I want to be free of you as well," Monty huffs.
"Fine where the hell are you? I hear you but..."
"Just turn around!"
BANG
Mac walks into Ian's quiet Fire House in search of Clyde Richardson.
"Is Inspector Richardson in by chance?" Mac asks the front desk clerk.
"Should be back in an hour. Shall I have him call you?"
"Sure," Mac says handing her his card. "Mac Taylor and tell him it's urgent."
"Sure thing," she replies absently, putting the card aside.
"I'm just going to be in the lab for a bit."
Mac heads toward the quiet evidence lab, noting that the team must be out at a fire as the place is mostly deserted. He hears a noise behind him and turns to see two uniformed officers looking at him intently; both large and angry looking.
"Something wrong gentlemen?"
"Detective Mac Taylor?"
"Who's asking?"
"You're under arrest," Scott Thurber, Gus Myer's well paid friend offers with an angry glance.
"Pardon?"
"You heard him," the other large echoes.
"What's the charge?" Mac asks in haste.
"The attempted murder of Ian Davidson."
"Is this a joke?" Mac asks in disbelief.
"Are you denying the charge?" Scott goads.
"Hell yes I am. We got a confession from the real guy last night."
"Not what I heard."
"I don't care, now turn your ass around and go back out the door you came in."
"Taylor, you don't get it. You are under arrest."
"No I'm not."
"You're coming with us," the other large angry looking cop growls.
"Like hell I am. This is a false charge and you know it. Who put you up to this? Gus Myer?" Mac demands as he tries to take a step the other way; that path also quickly blocked by Scott Thurber.
"We don't answer to you and you are coming with us."
"I am going to make a phone call and..." Mac starts.
"The only place your sorry ass is going is to jail."
"This is a mistake. I was with Ian, I saved his life!"
"Yeah after you tried to kill him," Scott taunts.
"Okay this is a false charge. We know who the real killer is, he confessed last night. You boys have been given some bad information and this dicussion is over."
"I don't care. This is a serious charge, now turn around and put your hands behind your back," Scott demands.
"Like hell," Mac huffs as he turns to push past. However the other large officer with Scott grabs Mac's arm, meanly yanks him back and spins him around, trapping both bandaged wrists with his large hands, not caring about the CSI's blistered skin.
Mac counters by pushing both of them backwards and yanking his hands free; offering a small gasp of pain as the tender skin chaffs with the bandages. However, just as he turns around, Scott's gun is shoved in his face, trigger cocked.
"Faster than a speeding bullet Taylor?"
"What the hell is wrong with you two?"
"Cuff him Marty," Scott directs and Marty grabs Mac's wrists once again.
"You are making a big mistake!" Mac warns in anger. "If Gus Myer put you up to this, you'll both be sorry!"
"Sorry Taylor, but you are under arrest. Don't worry about his wrists Marty, he'll be sustaining a lost worse before this day is over," Scott smiles.
"You better not do this!" Mac growls as he feels the cuffs quickly wrapped around both wrists and then painfully tightened. "Damn it!"
"I don't see anyone coming to your defense Taylor," Scott smiles. "Too bad this house is empty huh. No one around to help you."
"Look guys I am a police officer and can't treat me like..." Mac starts as the clerk rushes toward them in wonder.
"What is going on here?" The clerk asks in haste.
"We are arresting this man it's nothing to worry about," Scott shoos the young woman away.
"Police business," Marty growls to the clerk. "Beat it!"
"Call Stella Bonasera at the crime lab!" Mac tries.
"Where?"
"Damn it then call Clyde Richardson!" Mac snaps as the clerk disappears and he turns back to Scott with an angry scowl.
"Sorry criminal, but you are coming with us."
"I'll have both your badges!" Mac warns as he struggles in vain against the large man holding him firmly.
"Save your lies Taylor, we don't care. Marty, hold him while I do the honors," Scott smiles.
"What honors?" Mac wonders.
"Shutting you up for the ride to jail. I get the honor of doing that," Scott laughs as he walks to a nearby workbox and grabs a role of duct tape. "But you'll probably be this way the entire time," Scott smiles as he walks back up to Mac with the tape in his hand. "My promise to a friend."
"Gus Myer!" Mac offers in contempt.
"Smart guy for a criminal."
"I am not..."
"You know this is so no one can hear your lame excuses or pathetic whining!" Scott offers in anger.
"You better not gag me!" Mac warns as Scott stands before him.
"I can do what I want, I'm in charge now," he smiled as he ripped off a large strip. "Not you."
"You taking me against my will is the same as kidnapping," Mac reminds Scott.
"Whatever," Marty laughs as he firmly holds onto Mac's captive arms.
"I'm having you arrested Mac, there is a big difference," Scott states firmly.
"You'll never get away with this!" Mac states as Marty firmly holds onto both of his arms and holds him in place so Scott could gag him.
"I already have," Scott smiles.
"You'll be sorry you son of a bit..." Mac starts only to have Scott press the piece of tape firmly over his lips shutting him up. Mac tries to twist his head but Scott succeeded in silencing him, patting him on the cheek.
"Better."
Mac glares at Scott in protest, vowing to get even for Gus Myer's stupid actions.
"You were saying Mac?" Scott laughs as Mac cursed angry words but they of course fell on deaf ears. "Oh and your one phone call? Yeah not gonna happen."
"Let's go," Marty smiles as he starts to drag Mac towards the exit doors.
"Off to jail where you belong," Scott taunts as he looks at the look on Mac's face and laughs.
Mac struggled to get free but Marty's grip tightens, causing Mac to curse angry muffled words into his gagged mouth.
"Complain all ya want Taylor," Scott laughs as he drags him towards the police car, "but you're staying like that all day and probably tonight also!" He taunts as he opens the back door. "No phone calls, remember?"
Scott starts to push Mac into the back seat but Mac presses his body against the car and stands his ground; trying in vain to fight back. Scott punches him in the stomach and Mac's body doubles forwards losing the battle. "Nice try," Scott laughs as he finally manages to get Mac into the backseat of the police cruiser.
"I wonder if anyone will miss you big shot?" Scott snides as he slams the door shut sealing Mac in the back of the strange police car.
Mac struggles to get out, kicking at the door with his boots but knows he is trapped; trapped in a strange police car heading who knows where. He feels the car start up and slowly leave the Fire House as his heart rate starts to rise. Stella!
Mac yells until his throat is raw, face is flushed and his brow damp. How the hell could Gus pull something like this off? Where the hell are they taking me? Are these guys even real cops? Damn it! Mac continues to curse muffled words but the two cops just laugh at him; paying the innocent man no heed.
Finally Scott turns around to look at Mac and smiles at him. "Welcome to hell Taylor!"
"Hey Stella, where's Mac?" Danny asks walking up to her work station.
"At Ian's house, trying to see what new evidence they could find and hopefully bring it back to compare," she replies, not knowing the falsity of her words.
"Maybe thinking this guy Monty isn't done starting fires yet?"
"Just doesn't seem the kinda guy after all this to go out quietly," Stella ponders.
"How is Mac holding up with all this...you know his stuff and the insurance and all."
"Frustrated, but he's not letting on, typical Taylor style," Stella smiles. "Any luck with the guitar?"
"Yeah Sheldon and I picked one out and we are just having it held until Mac finds his new place. Kinda like a house warming."
"Nice thought."
"It was Lindsay's idea," Danny smiles as they see Clyde Richardson heading toward them. "Who is that guy?"
"Ian's right hand," Stella offers with a slight smile to Mac's competition. Both offer small hello's as the tall fire investigator walks up to them. "Hey Stella."
"Hey Clyde."
"Mac around?" Clyde asks.
"No he went to your place," Stella replies.
"Okay, I'll catch him there and send him back with whatever you guys need."
Stella watches him leave and then once again feels an uneasiness starting to develop in her stomach; knowing that Flack still hasn't caught Gus Myer and that Gus has it in for Mac. "Just be careful Mac," she whispers to herself.
Mac continues to grumble in vain, kicking the back seat, hoping they'll at least take the tape off his mouth so he'll be able to reason with them that once Gus goes down, they'll be penalized for their harsh actions. However, Mac just succeeds in making Scott angrier, so much so, that he slams on the breaks and Mac's body slams into the plastic barricade, forcing him to angrily curse once more.
"Listen Taylor!" Scott Thurber's angry voice booms loudly as he turns to face Mac with an angry scowl. "Now you stop squirming, shut the hell up and take this like man or I swear I will put you into the trunk for the rest of the ride!" He yells at Mac's angry face. "Now if you're in that much pain, lay on your side. But I better not hear another moan out of you until we arrive! Understand!"
Mac slumps back against the hard plastic seats and offers one more angry curse as Marty just laughs and Scott starts the car moving once again; promising to deliver him who knows where. He had forgotten to take the antibiotics this morning and now his lungs were on fire from his useless yelling and his hands were throbbing from the harsh treatment and being forced to lean back against them. That clerk will tell Clyde, Mac tries to assure himself. And as much as he's still not sure about Clyde's actions around Stella, he knows that Clyde would call and tell her and then Stella would come to his aide; telling himself that she would assume it was Gus and check his station house.
Mac casts his gaze out the window as they head into a strange part of the city; a part there is a reason he doesn't visit. And where the hell am I going anyways, he wonders? To some strange cop shop, with some brute cops who think nothing of letting me be gagged and then holding onto my injured hands before I'm handcuffed, and then punching me in the stomach before I'm hauled away like a common thug! They think nothing of treating a Detective worse than a criminal! Who the hell are they? And if I'm treated this badly now, what can I expect when we get there? Will they seriously put me in lock up like this? Handcuffed and gagged? They can't! I'll be at the mercy of whoever is in there with me! Or worse their mercy! Damn you Myer!
Mac closes his eyes and offers one more angry curse into the heavy tape keeping him quiet, narrowing his gaze at the two men in front of him. So much for a quiet day. But as they reach the unfriendly police station, Mac's heart starts to beat faster. There was a reason descent cops didn't apply here and guys like Gus Myer, who were known for their overly harsh treatment of prisoners, thrived. This can't be good for me!
"Here we are Taylor, your new home," Scott taunts as he pushes himself out of the front seat and pulls the back door open, grabbing Mac by the collar of his jacket and yanking him out of the back seat.
Mac looks around but notices that no one questions Scott's actions, nor wonders why anyone wearing a CSI jacket was handcuffed and gagged. Damn it! Mac curses as Scott looks at him with a sneer.
"No one friendly to you around here Taylor," Scott warns him. "No one coming to your rescue."
Mac offers one more useless grumble as he's dragged for the front door, finally being sealed inside the unfriendly building; away from any prying eyes; any vestige of help. Scott drags him down a dimly lit hallway only to be confronted by another large man.
"What's this Thurber?" The burly man asks gruffly.
"Just bustin' a perp boss," Scott smiles.
What? Mac shakes his head in protest.
"Why is he gagged?" The boss wonders.
"Boy's got a real bad mouth on him," Scott lies with an evil smile. "I mean you wouldn't believe some of the things he called us; just wouldn't stop. We warned him but he didn't care."
No he's lying! Mac once again shakes his head no, but Scott just laughs; slapping him hard on the back.
"Yeah real mouth on this one."
"Why is he wearing a Crime Lab Jacket?"
"He stole it," Scott replies in haste.
Mac looks at him in shock and then at the other man in front of him; a feeling of certain doom starting to cover him.
"Well that's too bad," the boss smiles. "Turner on duty tonight?"
"Yeah he is."
"Well that's too bad for you boy," the man snarls as he looks at Mac with an angry glare, "really to bad for you!" His loud voice booms as he slowly walks away.
Scott grabs Mac's arm and pulls him to the end of the hallway into a small back office with its own private lockup.
"Here is where we put our VIP guests!" Scott announces as he starts to drag struggling Mac towards the cell.
Scott slams Mac up against the bars and glares at him in anger. "Heard a lot about you Taylor. You know you try to act tough," Scott taunts in his face, "but I'm willing to bet you're scared as hell right now!"
Mac looks at him; his heart racing and cursing the fact that he is unable to defend himself to whatever they have in store for him. He narrows his eyes and shakes his head; refusing to show them any kind of fear. However, feeling anger surging through his veins, Mac brings up his leg and knee's Scott in the groin. Scott's body doubles forward in pain, allowing Mac to try to make a break for it just as Marty his partner comes back.
"Nice try," Marty smiles as he slams into Mac, blocking his path allowing Scott to grab him by the jacket and force him back up against the bars once more.
"You will pay for that Taylor! You see I can do whatever the hell I want to you and treat you however the hell I want to because there is no one here to save you," he laughs as he punches Mac in the gut once more. Mac offers a muffled gasp of pain as he doubles forward, finally allowing Scott to get him into the cell. Mac lands on the floor but manages to get himself up onto his knees just as Scott slams the door shut, trapping him inside.
"Suits you," Scott smiles as he looks down at Mac. Mac just curses angrily once again as he tries to push himself up; finally managing to get upright, facing the two mean police officers with an angry scowl.
"Sorry there's no bed in there, but I guess you'll just have to make due. Oh yeah those cuffs and that tape aren't comin' off anytime soon as I don't want to hear any of your whining!" Scott shouts as he turns and heads back to his desk and sits down opposite his partner, Marty. "So sit back like a good by and relax. Oh and if I have to come in there believe me you'll be very sorry!"
Mac walks over to the hard bench and slumps down in an angry huff. I can't believe this is happening, he laments inside. Damn Gus Myer! Stella has to figure this out sooner rather than later. I know she will, he tries to assure himself. Mac leans his head back on the wall and closes his eyes for a few seconds. And while he's sure that these crooked cops, at least he hopes, are only going to detain and not kill him; and while he has well founded faith that his partner will find him, his brain now races as to what Monty is up to, and who besides Gus Myer is going to pay the price in Monty's one final act of heated revenge.
"So I like said before Taylor, welcome to hell!" Scott laughs, instantly pulling Mac from his thoughts.
Stella! You have to find me and fast!
Clyde reaches the Fire House and notices Mac's Chevy Avalanche still parked out front. With a slight frown he quickly heads inside, looking for Mac. Before Ian had slipped into the coma he had told Clyde that Mac was a good man and that he needed to gain his trust and so to back off Stella Bonasera. However, it wasn't until she told him personally and then he saw them kissing in the hospital that he actually believed it. As much as that scene did offer his brain some discomfort, he had not reason to not like Mac and so pushed angry thoughts out of his head so he could get on with his job. Clyde heads into the evidence room and sees it still laid out, waiting for Mac but looking like it hasn't been touched.
"That's odd," he mumbles to himself as he heads for the clerks desk. "Any calls for me?"
"Yeah there was a Mac Taylor by about an hour earlier," she informs him, handing Clyde, Mac's card. "Oh and Janice called, they have news on Ian."
"But Detective Taylor's truck is still here? Where is he?"
"He was arrested," she notes.
"What? Could you say that again?"
Stella continues to work on the blackened evidence wondering where Mac is and if he did indeed go back to the fresh crime scene. Knowing he was nearly killed there, she was hoping he'd take her with him so as not to be lost in dismal thoughts.
"Stella?" Jessica breaks her thoughts as her and Flack walk into the CSI evidence lab.
"Please tell me you have caught Gus Myer," she lightly pleads.
"Not yet," Flack frowns. "I'm betting he skipped town last night. But we have his picture out and road blocks up so we'll get him."
"Yeah when? Hopefully before he runs into Mac again," Stella frowns.
"Where is Mac?" Flack asks.
"He stopped by Ian's to get some more evidence but I haven't heard from him in a few hours so I am assuming that he went to our latest crime scene."
'"Why?" Jessica asks as Stella's desk phone rings.
She looks at the number and then up at her friends. "Ian's Fire House, could be Mac now. Mac?" Stella answers as she presses the speaker button.
"Stella, it's Clyde," he offers in a strained tone. "We have a serious problem."
"Clyde what's wrong?" Thinking something has happened to Ian.
"Mac's been arrested!"
"WHAT?"
A/N: Ah a little Gus revenge = some Mac peril! No permanent damage though so take heart and let me know what you thought in a review and what do you think Monty is planning for his final exit?