Chapter 12- fighting for your life
FBI agent Jason Hawkins found himself focusing on Marjory Trask who was looking around the man hall as though searching. This made Jason think back to the last time he'd seen Saunders. It had been awhile ago.
Hurrying away from the main room Jason approached the person serving drinks. "Have you seen Coach Saunders", he asked. "Yes, he was here with Daniel about 20 minutes ago . I overheard Dan saying he was going to the bathroom, Saunders was returning to the main room."
Jason began to get concerned at that point, because as far as he could tell Saunders was not in the main room.
Snake began to regain consciousness He felt a deep burning anger take hold If Saunders was still around somewhere he was going to make damn sure he didn't live one minute longer. Forcing himself to alertness Snake was about to struggle to his feet when a shadow came over him. Snake only got one quick glimpse upward as he was hit again hard.
Jason ran down one corridor stopping and pulling out his gun as he saw a man in front of him. "Hold it I'm FBI "the man stated carefully as he flashed a badge
Jason lowered the gun but still kept it ready as he approached. He read the name on the badge, "oh so you are Mr Jonathan Harris", he remarked as he looked the older man up and down. "Yes, the man admitted.
"I just landed in my personal helicopter and was looking for Mr Saunders. I found him instead", Jonathan gestured at Snake. Jason looked down at the unconscious man taking note of the tattoo. "I'm sure I've seen that tattoo before on an arrest warrant", he remarked. "Yes you have, that is Mitchell Greerson aka the Snake. He is currently wanted for murder", Jonathan told Jason seriously. He looked around , "that however is not what concerns me. There is a trail of blood leading away from the victim, it looks like he cut someone". Jason looked grave as he began to think through the next steps, 'our priority is to find that injured person , we need start a search of this house".
"I'll organize that", Jonathan replied, "you go and stop the party and keep everyone in the main room, the last thing we want is more potential victims".
Jason looked at the main levelly debating about agent was alot older than he was, perhaps almost retirement age. He looked careworn and not all that menacing. But when Jonathan Harris crossed his arms across his middle and stated, "go". Jason saw a glimpse of something scary in the other mans eyes. So her gave no further argument , striding off toward the main room. Jonathan took hold of his gun firmly, maybe he needed to end this permanently. With that thought in mind he grabbed Snake around the legs and began to drag him away..
Jason approached the makeshift stage and gestured for the musicians to stop playing. As the music stopped the excited chatter began to shift into worried speculation.
"Can I have your attention everyone. We have an armed person moving through the house. We ask that you stay here quietly." Jason gestured to some of the guards, "nobody leaves", he ordered. He then left again.
Trixie quickly located Jim, Brian, Mart, Honey and Di but began to get seriously concerned about Dan. An almost tearful Grace Saunders joined them saying ,"I can't find my brother anywhere". They all exchanged glances as each one hoped that Dan and Simon would be alright.
Meathead pulled Dan backwards slowly while TNT kept his knife trained on Saunders.
He wasn't sure what to expect from this man but he was taking no chances.
Dan began to feel panicked as he realized he was being abducted. Gone was the meathead that was concerned and protective . Now all that was left was the vicious bruiser. Dan mentally kicked himself for almost giving in and going with them, had he been that blind to what they were.
Come on boys, you do this and you face a federal kidnapping charge", Simon told the young men in front of him. Thomas looked scared for about half a second, "if I don't do this, I'll probably end up dead', h e told Simon coldly. Simon guessed that meant that Thomas was just carrying out orders. "Snake can't hurt you, I took care of him, Simon told the teens firmly.
Thomas kept his knife up and gave the appearance of being totally unconcerned as he replied"we ultimately don't work for Snake". "Okay but I bet whoever you work for won't take the rap for this and someone's head is going to roll", Simon remarked almost menacingly. Thomas felt his knife hand shaking, if Saunders had managed to actually beat one of the toughest people he'd known then what was he going to do to them. Then he steeled himself confident that he was not alone.
"Come on there's heaps of federal agents out there", Simon remarked as the door to the outside loomed closer.
Thomas looked at him coldly deciding he should point out what they had to their adventage, "we have a hostage", he reminded Simon gesturing to the terrified looking Dan . Meathead had the door open now and was pulling Dan outside. Thomas followed with Simon moving faster and deciding he needed to end this now. "Just let him go and I'll get you a good deal", Simon threw the force of his green eyed gaze at Thomas and put his palms up toward the teen in a submissive gesture. Thomas slashed with his knife at Simons upturned palms causing cuts. Simon gasped but kept his gaze on Thomas. "Let the knife go", he prompted the teen.
To his surprise Thomas found himself dropping the knife and Simon leapt forward to wrestle with the young man. Meathead didn't look back just concentrating on dragging Dan forward. Dan decided it was time to get away from Meathead before the youth dragged him away from all help. So he stomped on Len's toe hard. The youth moved the knife and Dan leapt away. Meatheads arm shot out fast, quickly grabbing hold of Dan before he could escape.
Simon was still dealing with Thomas who's smaller size gave him the ability to dart away from his efforts to grab the young man. Thomas fought back by kicking Simon hard in the shins, making his eyes water.
Meathead held tight to the swirming Dan and brought the knife closer. In desperation Dan kicked him hard. Meathead actually cried out and brought his knife arm forward slashing across Dan's arm as he fell. Dan hurried forward and kicked the youth hard in the head knocking him out. Thomas was distracted by his partner falling down and Simon took that moment to hit him hard in a pressure point he knew from experience would render some one unconscious. The youth fell to the ground. Simon hurriedly collected both knives. He threw them as far away as possible. Then he rushed to Dans side and wrapped his hand around his bleeding arm. The blood from his palms and his side dripped onto the ground. Dan was white faced and felt ligth headed as the slash in his arm burned fiercely .He sunk to the ground and sobbed with Simon following him down. Simon was beginning to feel a little light headed from the loss of blood and began to worry that he'd pass out and leave Dan alone. That fear was dispelled by shouting and minutes later torches shone through the darkness and the FBI arrived on the scene. Fiona quickly cuffed Thomas and Len while Jason evaluated the blood splattered duo in front of him. "Call an ambulance", he yelled back to others behind him. Jason kneeled down and looked at Simon, "let go of Daniels arm so we can see how badly you are injured", he requested lightly taking note of the blood staining the coaches jacket. Simon seemed to hardly focus on him and he guessed the man was going into shock. Jason looked over at Dan who was white faced , his only obvious injury the cut that Saunders was still holding onto. "See if anyone can locate a first aid box", Jason yelled back. He sat on the ground beside the injured duo slowly lifting the back of Saunders jacket. He revealed a nasty but not life threatening slash, "what happened Saunders", he asked the coach. "Someone in the manor house let them in", Simon growled to Jason and he fought to stay conscious. "These two were trying to convince Dan to go with them while Mitchell was… ,he looked down at his shaking hands, "he was just trying to kill me, Simon concluded. Jason frowned at the use of Snakes first name, not something a lot of people knew. "Do you know him Saunders", he asked.
Simon was so tired and shaky that all he could do was nod. "I guess I'll leave the rest for the hospital", Jason told Simon. Hearing the ambulance approach Jason cleared a path.
He stood back while the medics put dressings on the cuts. Then he jumped into the ambulance with Dan and Simon. He was taking no more chances. "Make sure all our suspects are well guarded", Jason called out to his colleagues. He heard an affirmation as the ambulance door closed.
They were a few seconds down the road when Jason remembered that he had not seen Mr Jonathan Harris while apprehending the last suspects.
At the hospital Dan and Simon were taken into the emergency room where a doctor attended to their injuries. "Since they went up against knives they were both lucky", Doctor Jameson told Jason. Jason thought Simon was more than lucky. He knew some of Snakes history as a violent offender and a skating coach had never seemed like the type of person who could escape him. Maybe there was a little more to Saunders than met the eye "Neither one is seriously injured but I'll still be admitting them both, they have obviously been through an ordeal",the doctor remarked.
"They have a risk of infection from the knife cuts so I'm dosing them both up with antibiotics". Doctor Jameson looked over at his patients, I hear you held onto the wound with your bleeding hands, the doctor sated as he looked down at Simon. That means there is a risk of infection from any disorder carried through the blood." Dan swallowed nervously as he thought of his condition, "I have a hereditary medical condition", he told the doctor. "Yes, Daniel that is in your records, don't worry you cannot pass it through your blood to Mr Saunders. I was thinking about whether either of you had hepatitis."
He got head shakes.' "Good, I'll just finish up here then we'll see about getting you a shared room", the doctor told Simon and Dan. Jason agreed with this decision continuing to stand guard of the duo while their treatment continued.
When they were both bandaged and given pain killers Jason escorted them to ther private room. Pulling up a chair he sat between the two beds. "I am going to have to go over what happened", he told them. "Now Mr Saunders you said you knew Mitchell. How come it never occurred to you to mention him before", Jason asked firmly. "Because I haven't seen him since I was sixteen", Simon told him . "He was one of the trio whose assault upon me led to my hospitalization just after my marriage to Patty". Jason frowned at that looking over at Dan. "He knows", Simon told the agent. Jason nodded, "so what do you know about Mitchell", he continued ." He was Tims best friend, the two of them were really close. But as I said I haven't heard from him in awhile, Simon reconfirmed" "So you don't know why he was trying to kill you", Jason prodded. "No I don't" , Simon responded levelly. "Believe me if I did know anything I would tell you."
Jason accepted his answer, after all the man would be an idiot if he knew something and kept quiet after being targeted twice by a killer." Snake confessed to trying to poison me the first time, Simon told Jason. "Yes, but we will need evidence Mr Saunders, what he told you will just be regarded as hearsay." Simon scowled.
Jason turned to Daniel, "you also knew your attackers", he queried . Dan nodded slowly, "yes both were members of my former gang. They were not originally there to attack me ,but were trying to convince me to return to the gang willingly", Dan looked over at Simon then back . "So why do they want you back so badly Daniel", Jason prodded. Dan looked into the agents eyes, "I was not a master criminal or anything", he swore, "so I can't honestly say why they want me". Dan looked over at Simon, "I nearly did go back with them", he told the agent. "But you didn't Dan", Simon reassured him. "I should not have doubted you", Dan replied tearfully. Simon climbed out of his bed and went and sat by Dan. "Perhaps I should have told you the truth along time ago", he remarked sadly. "I never wanted to cause you heartache Dan". Dan leaned forward and held him tight carefully avoiding his bandaged side.
Jason got out of the chair and paced, "what is the likelihood that this second attempt to snatch you is linked to the first one", he reflected. Dan shrugged, "I 'd never seen those other two before, but that doesn't mean they couldn't have belonged to the gang." "Why don't you just ask them", Simon suggested. "Oh you can we sure we will be asking all of them a lot of questions. But they do not have to give us any answers. Snake cannot bargain for a reduced sentence because his crimes are too serious. We may be relying on the other two for information", Jason told them.
Dan shook his head, "they won't talk. It's gang code not to rat on your associates"
Simon looked bleak, "if they don't talk then we won't find out who betrayed us."
"You can we sure , we will make every effort to get the name from them", Jason growled . "Now before I go and talk to them, I would like you both to give full statements". Make sure you tell me everything", he warned as his gazed firmly at them both
He brought out a tape recorder and taped statements from both Dan and Simon. Naturally Simon didn't say how he actually had got away from Snake making up a story of catching the man unawares. Jason seemed to accept the story. It took about 20 harrowing minutes for both of them to go over what happened and soon they were both laying back against their pillows emotionally and physically exhausted.
"Thank you both, now I suggest you get some rest. I'll be back later to tell you our plans for your further protection". Naturally there will be a guard outside your door", Jason told them as he departed.
Jason went to another part of the hospital where in another guarded room he found Thomas and Len. Fiona beckoned him over as soon as he'd entered. 'I've checked throughout the hospital and it seems Mitchell was never brought here", she told Jason. Jason looked puzzled, " the last time I saw him he was with Mr Jonathan Harris, he stated. Fiona raised her eyebrows, "well perhaps we need to ask him exactly what he did with our suspect", she stated.
He felt groggy as he awakened. Trying to move elicited pain and he quickly discovered his hands were firmly handcuffed. Cracking open his eyes he noticed there was only one man in the room. He was an older type of man who looked tired and careworn, not the type that was dangerous. Snake began to relax. The man stepped forward, "ah so you are awake", he reached forward and grabbed Snake tight.
Suddenly he looked a lot less careworn. "Just ask me your stupid questions", Snake growled. "I don't need to ask you any questions. I know exactly who you are and what you've done, Mitchell. It is about time that you paid for your crimes", the man put his hand in his pocket and came out with a gun. Snake looked surprised.
"You can't just kill me", he stated. "Who is going to stop me", the man gestured to the empty room.
Snake studied the man knowing that the type of anger he was showing usually meant a personal vendetta. But he was sure he'd never seen this man before."
"Who are you", he demanded. "You don't remember", the man moved closer.
Snake shook his head. The man brought one arm forward and pushed up a sleeve.
"The surgery couldn't help everything", the man growled.
Snake looked puzzled for a few seconds longer then his face changed as horror crept up upon him. "I see you remember me now", the man remarked. Snake just stared and for the first time in a long while began to feel afraid. He was certain this man would kill him. "Don't you want to know who the informer is", Snake remarked quickly.
The man just chuckled, "of course, but you won't tell me", he stated calmly as he pulled back the trigger. Snake closed his eyes and waited for the blow to fall.
"So in the end you are a coward", the man remarked. Snake didn't open his eyes and seconds seemed to tick by. When the seconds turned into minutes Snake opened one eye. The man threatening him was gone, almost like he'd never existed in the first place, the ghost of a past victim recalled to seek vengeance.
When the door opened Snake actually jumped. A very different looking man approached. "what happened to the other guy", Snake asked. "what other guy", the man responded. Snake tried to stay calm but began to wonder if he was actually losing his mind.
Dan had been right about Len and Thomas. The interview was long and a lot of pressures were threatened against the duo but Fiona found neither of them was willing to say the name of the person that had helped them or their ultimate boss.
Fiona found it a little strange that she was conducting this interview without Jason.
Her partner had gone off with a strange look on his face not long ago and she had not seen him since.
She had been contacted by the NY office to say they had Snake but were also having no luck in questioning him.
Fiona was finally tired of receiving no answers and had the two youths taken away.
Hurrying into their borrowed office she found Jason studying a group of photographs Fiona recognized all of the subjects and became curious.
Saying nothing for the time being Fiona sat herself in a chair and studied her partner. "When you look at these photos what do you see", Jason asked.
Fiona looked, "well they're all men", she stated teasingly, Jason gave her a withering stare, "All dark haired, around the same body type", Fiona continued. "Apart from that nothing special". "What do we know about them", Jason asked.
"Well these two are dead", she told him tapping two of the photos. She grouped three photos together, "these three are related'", she continued." This could mean that the trouble has something to do with their family. However this one", she tapped Simons photo," is not directly related." Jason smiled widely which caused Fiona to growl in frustration, "Jace get to the point, I've had enough playing games from those two gang members."
"Well sometimes the answer is right in front of us and we just don't see it", Jason mused. "Daniel and Saunders gave statements, perhaps you should look at the portion of Saunders I've underlined", he threw the paper at Fiona.
She read, "so Gregory Saunders is not Simons biological father", she looked rather surprised. "Naturally I wondered who was", Jason stated, "so I consulted his file".
Fiona grinned why did she have this feeling she knew what he was going to say, "let me guess the record wasn't there", she stated. Jason nodded, "you're right and since other suppressed information was relevant I spent some time tracking down his birth certificate". Jason put it down in front of Fiona. She picked it up and gasped, "Oh".
"Indeed, certain things make a lot of sense now", Jason replied. Fiona looked angry, "a lot of time could have been saved if Simon had told us all this. I feel like giving him a good chewing out". Jason put one hand on her shoulder gently, "I don't think he knows Fee", he whispered. Fiona's eyes widened. "Simon Saunders didn't tell Dan about his marriage because he wanted to save him pain. I think Saunders parents did the same with Simon". Fiona thought about that and nodded, "I dearsay Saunders wouldn't mention being illegitimate in conversation either. He wouldn't want his mother embarrassed." "Indeed", Jason agreed. Fiona bit her lip, "so are we going to tell him"
Jason looked thoughtful, "I think we have to Fiona because there now seems to be a definite connection to the past.
Fiona closed her eyes, "somehow I don't think he's going like hearing this".