Chapter 13
"You know, if I'm going to meet McDonnell, I need some fresh clothes." Ted, finishing the breakfast Face had provided, pulled at the T-shirt he was wearing. "And maybe I should put my call into McDonnell from my home."
"Okay, how far is your place?" Hannibal asked.
"Not far. I can be back here in an hour," Ted replied.
"Murdock, take Ted to his house," Hannibal said, with a look towards Ted. Murdock nodded, grabbing Amy's car keys. "Then get back here as soon as you can."
"I'm going to need cash, too." Ted glanced nervously at the team. "McDonnell takes half the money up front. That's how he gets his cut."
"Okay, Ted. Face will arrange that," Hannibal said. "How much do we need?"
"Um... Two thousand," Ted spoke quickly, "for a young girl... It's cheaper if you just want an older one..."
Hannibal looked at Face, and he nodded, already working out what strings he was going to need to pull to find two grand.
Ted swept a hand through his thinning hair, then walked out of the motel room, Murdock following.
"Murdock," Hannibal called, stopping him at the door. "Keep an eye on him. Monitor that call."
"Yeah, and make very sure he doesn't give you the slip," Face said anxiously. "Or gets hold of a bottle."
"Relax, Face. I've got it covered," Murdock reassured him and walked out of the door. From the window Face watched them drive off.
"You don't think Ted would actually give us the slip, do you?" Face stood with his hands on his hips, frowning.
"Never can be too sure," Hannibal replied, which didn't help reassure Face in the slightest. "He sounded like he genuinely wants to help. But then, maybe his brain started turning things over, wondering if he'd get caught between McDonnell and Harper. The guy's pretty scared. He knows their secrets, and could easily be made to disappear."
"Like Massey," Face mumbled. And Amy, he thought. Maybe he should have gone with Ted. No, Murdock would have it under control.
"That ain't gonna happen," BA spoke up, busily working at the table, his soldering iron in his hand and most of his tools strewn over the table. "The plan is gonna work."
"My plans always work."
"Yeah, well this time, it'll work right. Won't need a Plan B." BA grinned. "Not with this tracking device."
XXXXXXX
Like Ted had said, he and Murdock returned within the hour. He was dressed in his own clothing, a checked shirt and pair of brown pants.
BA had been busy working on his tracking device and a bug that they'd use for Ted's meeting with McDonnell. Face had checked the guns and ammunition, making sure they were well stocked. He'd done anything and everything to keep himself busy.
Amy had been missing over twelve hours now. Every minute that ticked past, Face worried it could be a minute too late. And walking into that FBI office could be a minute closer.
Ted wiped his brow with a handkerchief as he confirmed he'd made his call with McDonnell, setting the meet for one. Murdock subtly nodded to Hannibal, confirming Ted hadn't done anything to go against them – that he wasn't leading them into a trap.
The meeting would be at the diner Face had originally gone to when he'd been looking for Seckman. The one with all the cops. One o'clock could not come soon enough.
"Okay, Ted, we're going to be with you all the way on this one," Hannibal said, placing a reassuring hand on Ted's shoulder. "We won't put a wire on you, just in case McDonnell spots it, but we will use a bug -"
"Why do you need a bug?" Ted looked confused.
"Just a precaution, so we can hear what's going on. So we have eyes and ears on the situation." Hannibal smiled.
Face knew Hannibal wanted to make sure Ted didn't go snitching at the last minute. If he panicked, he could blow it all with McDonnell.
Ted nodded.
"Look, Ted. We really appreciate what you're doing for us," Face said, feeling that maybe the guy needed some reassurance. "And I promise, we'll get you out of this."
"You're kidding right?" Ted glared at Face. "When the shit hits the fan on this, I'm going to be bang in the middle of it."
"But you're doing the right thing," Murdock added. "You know you are. You don't like those girls imprisoned in that house anymore than we do."
"You stand trial, Ted, and the judge will go lightly on you," Hannibal said.
"I know the law," Ted snapped then sighed. "But you're right. I don't like it. And... and maybe it will just make this feeling I've got inside of me go away."
"Ted, you can get help," Murdock said. "We'll help you find it."
There was silence amongst the men before Hannibal spoke up.
"Okay, let's get a move on," he said, glancing at his watch. "Phase one, meeting McDonnell."
"Uh, can I have a little drink before we do this?" Ted asked nervously.
Hannibal frowned. "Ted, you can do this. The booze won't help you."
"Uh... Yeah, yeah, I can," Ted replied, talking more to himself than the rest of the team. Ted turned and looked at Hannibal.
"Here, you'll need this," Face said, pulling out a brown envelope from inside his jacket. He flicked through the cash that was inside, then handed it to Ted. "I put extra in."
Ted took the envelope and studied the cash.
Face watched Ted put the envelope in his inside jacket pocket. Definitely didn't need the guy making a run for it now. "Give him what you have to – just make sure you get your date for tonight."
XXXXXXX
Ted entered the diner he used to frequent when he was on the force. He tended to stay away now, preferring his other haunt. Fewer cops. Less faces that knew him. The waitresses smiled, recognising him and saying hello, and he returned the gesture with a smile of his own, hoping he was hiding his nerves behind it.
He took a booth. He was a little early and McDonnell was possibly out on his rounds where he could easily get tied up with an unexpected call – he remembered those days. So he ordered his coffee, wishing he could stick a brandy in it. It would calm his nerves and stop his hands from shaking.
A busboy quickly arrived, wiping the table, cleaning the ashtray and taking away the little vase of flowers, putting another vase with fresh flowers in its place. Once he'd gone, Ted realised that it had been Smith.
A man walked past and winked at him. Definitely Murdock. Plainly dressed, his leather jacket removed. He sat at a table nearby, facing the other way, and started to read a newspaper.
Okay, they're doing what they promised. Probably to protect their own asses, as well as his. He got that. He could rat on them, and lead them into an ambush. They weren't stupid. And neither was he.
He was going to do this. For their reporter friend... and for those poor girls. Because it was wrong. And he hadn't become a police officer all those years ago to sit by and let these things happen.
No more sweeping this stuff under the carpet. This was his moment.
He sipped his coffee, waiting nervously.
Damn it, he needed a drink. A proper drink. Not this shit.
And his body was craving a cigarette. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack. He sighed; there were two left.
"Hi, Ted," a man said, startling him. He relaxed when he saw who it was. McDonnell sat down opposite Ted and called the waitress over.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I was in my own little world then," Ted laughed. "You caught me off guard."
"Hey, how times have changed huh? We couldn't catch you off guard when you were a cop." McDonnell chuckled back. "You sure have retired."
"And because of it, I've put on a few pounds now." Ted gently patted his stomach.
"Yeah, I can see. Retirement treating you well?"
"Yeah, yeah," Ted lied, taking a cigarette out of the pack and offering one to McDonnell, who declined. Only then did he truly look McDonnell in the eye.
He took a long hard drag, held it down deep in his lungs, and then slowly exhaled. Maybe this cigarette would calm his nerves.
The waitress arrived at the table and McDonnell ordered his lunch. Ted ordered another coffee. He certainly wasn't feeling hungry. Once the waitress walked away, Ted finished his cigarette and stubbed it out before leaning closer towards McDonnell.
"So can you help me?"
"Of course."
"Can you arrange it for tonight?"
McDonnell frowned. "I'll see what I can do, Ted. But it's a bit short notice."
"I know, I know. But I came into some money." Ted's hands were trembling. Damn it, he needed a drink. "A little gamble paid off." He reached inside his pocket and subtly showed McDonnell the cash. "There'd be extra in it for you if I got it tonight." Ted saw McDonnell's eyes narrowed with greed.
"You really okay, Ted?" McDonnell pointed to Ted's shaking hands, which made Ted even more nervous.
"Yeah, yeah." Ted quickly tucked them under the table. "I've been a bit heavy with the booze lately, needing to lay off it."
McDonnell shrugged, then glanced around the diner. He looked at Ted, kept his voice low. "You at the same address?"
Ted nodded.
"There's a park near you, right?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, unless you hear from me, usual time. Pick up at the park."
"Not the club, then?" That's where he'd gone from the first time. Only time.
"No, no. Harper's a little edgy about some damn reporter. At the park gates. Got it?" McDonnell gestured towards Ted's inside pocket, where he'd seen him return the envelope. "Half now, half at pick up."
Ted nodded, subtly reached inside his pocket, and took roughly half the money out of the envelope, putting it back in his pocket. He placed the envelope on the seat close enough for McDonnell to quickly reach, then gently nodded his goodbye and walked out of the diner.
That wasn't so hard.
XXXXXXX
"So, what'd he say?" BA asked as Face took the earphones off.
"Well, he had plenty of opportunity to snitch on us, but he kept it together. Just a matter of whether McDonnell keeps his end of the deal."
They both looked as the passenger door of the van opened, and Hannibal, removing his black wig and fake moustache, entered the van. In his other hand he held a small vase of flowers, which made Face frown with puzzlement.
"Here's your bug, BA," Hannibal said, handing him the vase. Similarly, BA frowned at it, then looked at Hannibal. "Well, I couldn't leave it there, in case McDonnell found it, so I switched the vases back."
BA gently shook his head, removing the bug from the vase. That's all he wanted back, thought Face, smiling.
"I thought the flowers might brighten up the van," Hannibal joked. BA growled a response.
Hannibal turned around towards Face and gave him the look he knew so well.
"It's my last one," Face said, reaching inside his pocket and pulled out a cigar, handing it to Hannibal.
"Murdock's going to follow Ted out," Hannibal said, cigar now between his teeth, reaching for his lighter. "Get ready to move."
Ted was supposed to come back to the van when he left the diner; Murdock was there to make sure he did. "Did Ted give anything away?" Hannibal asked Face.
"He was a little nervous, but he pulled it off."
"He's coming," BA said. Hannibal and Face looked out the windshield. Ted, with his hands in his pockets, strolled towards the van. The odd glance to make sure he wasn't followed or being watched, then he came around the side and opened the van door. He got in and quickly closed the door. Then Murdock followed and got in the van, heading for the back.
Sighing heavily, Ted took a handkerchief out of his pocket and as he sat down, dabbed his forehead. "Man, I could do with a drink," he mumbled.
Face and Hannibal grimaced at him.
"You're doing good, Ted. Hang in there," Hannibal reassured him.
"Where we go now, Hannibal?" BA asked, starting the van.
Hannibal looked at Ted. "What time are you being picked up?"
"He said usual time, which is ten o'clock."
Face swallowed. It was early afternoon. Ten o'clock seemed a million years away. Would Amy still be unharmed? Alive, even? This was taking too long.
"From your house?" Face asked, testing him. Would he be honest about the park, wherever that was?
"Uh... no, no. Nobody wants to get picked up at their house. If you're not meeting at the club, they pick a local landmark and collect you from there. There's a park near my house. Said they'd pick me up there, instead of the club."
"So, shall we go back to your place?" Murdock glanced at Ted. "Want to show the rest of the team your humble abode?"
Ted fidgeted. "Uh... well, Murdock, you've seen it. It's not really in a fit state for visitors. Can we just go back to the motel for a while?"
"Ted, we're not here to inspect your home, but we might be better off waiting at yours in case McDonnell calls," Hannibal said.
Probably best, thought Face. Although there'd be no booze at the motel. Face would make sure that was the first thing he did when he got to Ted's - clear the house of any booze.
Ted sighed. "Okay." Hannibal nodded at BA, and Murdock started giving the directions.
XXXXXXX
Amy rolled over on the bed and groaned. She felt lethargic, dizzy. Rubbing her eyes, she tried to focus. Where was she?
A door opening startled Amy. But she couldn't move. Her body felt so slow and unresponsive. She looked towards the door; someone walked towards her carrying a tray. As the person got closer, Amy could make out the man... Something recognisable about his face.... She'd seen him before...
How did she know him?
"You need to eat," said the man, offering Amy a plate with food.
Amy shook her head. She should feel hungry, she knew that, but she didn't. But Amy could feel her dry mouth. "Drink," she mumbled groggily.
He frowned and placed the plate of food back on the tray and handed her the glass of water. He kept hold of it as Amy took it, helping Amy to drink. The glass felt heavy. Her hands and arms wouldn't work the way she wanted them to - unresponsive, like they hadn't woken up yet. Her whole body felt feeble and weak.
She gulped the water thirstily, slowly starting to clear her mind.
She remembered the prick in her arm. The twinge of pain, and the ache after that. Amy touched the top of her arm, feeling the bruise. They must have sedated her.
He offered Amy the food again. He seemed impatient.
He was one of Harper's men.
Terence.
Amy took the plate, whispering, "Thanks."
Terence straightened.
"Wait!" Amy grabbed his arm, her body waking up, the fog starting to clear. "You've got to help me. Harper will kill me."
"That's enough." Terence shrugged her off.
Amy got to her feet, the plate dropping to the floor, smashing, as she tried to follow.
"Help me! Somebody! Help!" she called out, noticing the door was open, hoping someone might hear.
"Didn't think you'd know how to stay quiet." Terence grabbed her, his teeth clenched, pushed her back onto the bed. The menace she remembered. She cried out.
One handed, he pulled something out of his jacket. Amy struggled to free herself but was still too weak. Terence held Amy still, gripping her painfully tight. The needle jabbed her arm before she could find the strength to react.
She cried out, remembering the feeling, the ache....
XXXXXXX
They'd gone over and over the plan. They were going to use the three vehicles to follow the limo, Face's Vette staying out of the picture as much as possible.
All the guns were checked and loaded. Now it was a case of waiting.
Probably the only person who seemed rushed was BA, finishing his tracking device. He worked busily at Ted's table, occasionally going out to his van for another tool, or sending Murdock on an errand for one.
Face hated the waiting. He'd found himself glancing at his watch constantly, which didn't speed up time. It only slowed it more. He lay on the couch, hands behind his head and staring at the ceiling, willing ten o'clock to arrive. Praying Amy was unharmed and keeping her mouth shut. She could get a little feisty sometimes. Had the team done that to her? Given her that confidence? He smiled to himself. He liked that in her. Actually, she'd been feisty when they'd first met her. As Hannibal had said, the girl had spunk. Face just hoped she wasn't using it right now. Who knew how Harper would react? If he got impatient with her...
"Okay it's time everyone," Hannibal said, making Face sit up. "Ted needs to be at the park in fifteen minutes."
"I'm not swallowing that!" Ted argued loudly.
"It's safe, man. Only way they're not going to find it," BA said, holding the palm of his hand out. Face squinted. What was that in his hand?
"I don't care!"
"Ted, we can't get close to their car. I don't want to risk exposure. And if we did lose the limo for one reason or another, this guarantees we can still find you. It will help our tail not get noticed. And," Hannibal looked at BA, "if BA says it will work -"
"But, but, can't I put it in my pocket?"
"No! You might drop it! You'll pass it in a day or two," BA said, shoving his palm closer to Ted. "Now eat it!"
Ted took the tiny tracking device. BA glared at him. With a grimace, Ted nervously swallowed the bug.
Hannibal placed an arm on BA's shoulder. "I must say I am impressed, BA. But it will work, won't it?"
"Course it will work, Hannibal," BA growled, shrugging Hannibal off. He switched on another machine he held in his hand, and it started beeping.