Title: Too Tough To Die
Chapter 37 – Taken!
"Hello Danny boy. Welcome back to my parlor." Is all Danny heard before he sank back into the darkness; a chorus of evil laughter left to hang in the air as another figure entered the room.
"Perfect."
Gus smiled down at Danny's unconscious figure as he looked up to see another familiar face step into the room, the one who had been helping him and Thomas Wilder all along – Derek Adams, the male orderly, the one who had dared to put on the mask when Danny first arrived and was rewarded with Danny's fist in his eye. Of course Danny was told it was a panic attack but it was with reason.
And now with Thomas Wilder only minutes out they didn't have a moment to spare. Blueridge had created all the windows and with the wellness center being at least four hours from any reasonable help, Wilder would have Danny in his clutches long before his family got there or so he thought. Course he also knew that Frank could make a call to any local authorities and they were about twenty minutes away – so the window wasn't as big as desired.
Both men bodily lifted Danny's unconscious frame into the waiting wheelchair and then strapped him in by the chest, his head lolled to the side. Gus nodded to Derek and stepped out into the hallway first; delighted it was quiet and devoid of life. He headed for the back door by the service elevator that Derek told him to take – the one with the least amount of onlookers.
Derek waited about thirty seconds and then pushed Danny into the hallway and started toward the service elevator. However, fate didn't care who got in its way, good or bad, it just wanted to make people as miserable as possible. Derek spied the elevator and told himself this would go by with only minimal casualties.
"Danny?"
Derek stopped mid-stride and looked up as Dr. Day rounded the corner and then stopped short and looked at Danny's slumped over frame in concern.
"What happened here?" He asked as he approached, not realizing the deadly trap he just stepped into. "Where are you taking him?"
"Look…can you get out of my way please?"
"Not until you answer me," Michael held his ground.
"He uh…passed out. Was told to move him. Doctor's orders."
"Really? His doctor?"
"Yeah. Now move."
"I don't think so."
"Look I gotta…"
"I'm his doctor and I didn't give any such orders. What happened to him?"
"Same thing that's gonna happen to you doc."
Michael heard the tone in the orderly's voice darken and instantly his heart rate started to thump faster. His world started to slow as he heard a door open and he turned to see a face appear in the doorway – the last face he expected or wanted to see. "What the hell…" he whispered as his brain registered Thomas Wilder's face. "Not…possible."
"Goodbye…doc."
The shot isn't heard as the end of the gun is wrapped with a silencer. However, Dr. Day's body felt the ill-effects of the bullet as it slammed into his chest; a cry dying on his lips before any sound can be heard.
"You idiot! It was only supposed to be the guards! Wilder's gonna be pissed!"
Derek's lips pursed at Gus as he tore the mask off his face and then stomped toward them; Danny's lips uttering a small moan as Dr. Day lay still on the ground a few meters away – not moving. "He's dead! Move your ass!"
Gus turned and raced toward the service elevator; Derek picking up the pace as he hurried after him, Danny's brain still unable to pull him from his drugged stupor. The elevator door hissed shut and then it started to travel to the basement with its captive inside it.
Upstairs, Dr. Day lay still for a few moments more before his eyes dared to open and he looked around to make sure the attackers had gone. He didn't have time to ponder what was going on. He didn't have time to ponder if that really was Thomas Wilder who had shot at him. And he didn't have time to ponder where they were taking Danny Reagan and why. He had only minutes to get to a phone, call for help and then stop the bleeding or he wouldn't live long enough to get answers to those questions.
He started to crawl along the quiet hallway, calling out as he did for help and praying that someone would hear his calls. They did. But would it be soon enough?
"Dr. Day…what happened?"
However, before he could tell them that Danny Reagan had been kidnapped, he passed into darkness. At least the call to 911 went through.
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Just as the service elevator door opened, the back garage door opened and the transport van with Thomas Wilder inside it; Gus quickly hid behind the large concrete pillar as Derek pushed Danny's captive frame into the waiting van. He locked the chair, dumped Danny's unconscious body on the floor of the van and then got into the driver's seat to drive as soon as Gus and Wilder were on board.
Wilder watched through the caged side window as the loading dock to the Wellness Center loomed and he could hardly contain his satisfied smile. Much like Gus, he too knew of the short time frame and could only hope that Gus and Derek were on schedule and that his prize was waiting for him in the back of the van.
The van docked. The doors opened and the driver got out to help the two guards in the back escort Thomas Wilder into his holding cell. Or so they thought. The driver nodded to Derek who, still dressed in his nursing uniform seemed to belong there; all of them unaware that a message to authorities had already been dispatched.
The driver turned his back to unlock and open the door. But just before he did, the silenced shot from Gus's gun hit him in the back and brought him to his knees and then to the ground in a silent heap.
The back doors were then pulled open and with two more shots, the guards were taken care of and Thomas Wilder's look of utter satisfied glee could not be contained.
"Where's Danny? He better not be hurt!" Wilder demanded as he wasted no time in shaking off the cuffs and hurrying into the back of the other van.
"He's fine," Derek groaned.
"He's worth more than you are!" Wilder hissed at Derek as he looked down at Danny's unconscious frame at his feet and smiled once more. "Oh Danny boy…together for the last time."
He looked at the large clock on the back of the receiving door and then growled to Derek in the driver's seat. "Let's get the hell out of here…NOW!"
Gus got into the front seat and stowed the mask and a few other things in a small bag which he tossed into the back with Wilder.
"Remember…head north you idiot!"
Wilder knelt down by Danny and then pulled out the straightjacket and muzzle and smiled once more. "Now…time to make you a bit more comfortable."
A dark expression crossed his features as his fingers fondled the thick leather muzzle. "For me…that is."
XXXXXXXX
"Jamie…is that you?" Frank asked as his dark SUV emerged on the other side of the Brooklyn tunnel. "I need to call Baker. She had an urgent request but I was in the tunnel. Is this about…"
"Wilder's man is going after Danny at the clinic!"
"What? How do you know?"
"We found a mask, a uniform and a badge. I think he'll have inside help. I called Danny but he's not answering. I'm going to call Baez right now but did you hear from him?"
"No. Let me call Baker. Call Baez. I was going to meet with Poole but I'll turn around and we'll head there now."
"Anthony and I are already on our way but it's a four hour drive. Dad…"
"Call Baez. I'll call Baker and then Dr. Day."
"Dr. Day? Who's that?"
"He's been helping Danny. He's…a man who can handle himself," Frank replied with a huff as he hung up. "At least I hope so."
"What's going on sir?" The driver asked Frank as he ordered them to turn around.
"I'll explain on the way. Baker, what's going on?"
"Apparently an order was signed to transfer Thomas Wilder to the Harrison Wellness Center for psychiatric evaluation and treatment."
"What?" Frank asked in horror. "Who signed that order?"
"You did sir."
A cursed escaped Frank's lips as he called Renzulli and asked if Cedric Blueridge was around.
"He's finished his shift sir and I think gone home. Did you need me to call him back?"
"No," Frank answered in haste as he thanked him for his help and then called his daughter. "Erin…we need an arrest warrant right away."
"What's going on?"
"Danny's in trouble. I need an arrest warrant for Cedric Blueridge. But I need you to call me first after it's ready to be served."
"What's his crime?"
"Impersonating the Police Commissioner."
XXXXXXXX
"Come on Baez," Jamie muttered as he waited for Danny's partner to answer the phone.
"Jamie?"
"Is Danny there? What's all the shouting in the background? What's going on?"
"They think it was a drug robbery. One of the doctor's was shot here. Dr. Day. I'm heading to Danny's room right now."
"Wait…did you say Dr. Day?" Jamie asked in horror.
"You know him?"
"Yeah he's Danny's doctor! Find Danny. The third man in the picture…the lookalike, Gus Barnes is coming for him. Maybe he's already there. I'll text you his picture. Anthony and I are heading there now. Warn Danny. And get him to call me. I think he's turned his phone off trying to get some sleep."
"Okay."
"This is bad," Anthony muttered as Jamie hung up with Baez and then called his father. But a few seconds later, he heard Jamie curse and then looked at him in wonder.
"I think we better get the NYPD helicopter to fly us there faster."
"Why? What's going on?" Anthony asked in fear.
"Thomas Wilder was shipped out in the middle of the night and could be there right now."
Anthony looked at the expression of utter fear on Jamie's face as he quickly slammed on the breaks and then veered the car sharply to the right and muttered under his breath. As he sped toward the NYPD helipad he had the one thing the rest of the Reagan's were thinking right now.
Please let Danny be okay.
XXXXXXXX
Wilder had already mapped out their escape route and given it to Gus by means of his insider; a route that would take them well out of the path of the authorities and he hoped anyone else for as long as he wanted.
He sat in the back of the van and stared at his helpless captive with a delighted smile. "Wakey wakey, Danny boy. I want to have some fun. Wake up now. WAKE UP!" Wilder shouted inches from Danny's ear.
One more day…one more session…thirsty…feel dizzy…need to lay down…pounding head…need to lay down…phone…get the phone…someone's at the door…wait…Wilder? What the….NOOOOOOOO
"Wakey wakey Danny boy," Wilder's whispered voice is heard as his fingers give Danny's cheek a little tap and then a hard slap.
At first his body is sluggish to respond which caused Wilder's agitation to soar. "How much did you give him you idiot!" Wilder barked as he slapped Danny's cheek once more. "I want him awake for everything!"
"It'll wear off soon," Gus replied with mild annoyance.
This time the second slap finally elicited a small reaction and Danny's body slightly jerked awake. "That's it Danny boy…come back. Back to hell."
Wilder…that can't be…WILDER!
Danny's eyes fluttered open but as soon as they came into focus at the face that starred back, he wished he hadn't. Thomas Wilder! Hit him…do something…don't…what the…his brain finally realized the dire predicament of his situation as Wilder's face loomed ever closer.
"Miss me Danny boy?" Wilder whispered in a soft, smug tone; his face inches from Danny's. "I've missed you."
With that Wilder's hand struck Danny hard across the face, which made his head snap to the right. "mmmmph," Danny groaned into the thick muzzle over his mouth. With the leather bit fixed between his teeth and the panel over his entire mouth, his groan was kept to a quiet whimper, something that delighted Wilder very much.
This can't be happening! Danny's mind inwardly screamed as he struggled in vain against the tight straps of the straightjacket. He glared at Wilder and then tossed his head forward. He struck Wilder in his forehead which made his head snap backward and his lips to utter a painful curse.
"Good to have you back Danny boy," Wilder hissed as Danny struggled in place. "You honestly thought all this time that you were there to get some real help? You will never get real help. You will NEVER be free of me!" Wilder shouted as he leaned in closer. His hand shot out and wrapped itself around Danny's neck. "After mental and physical torture, you will beg me to end your miserable life!"
With the thick gag over his mouth, Danny's instantly was choking for air; his chest heaving and his anger inside already boiling.
"Did you think…that when I surrendered that I wouldn't have had it all planned out!" Wilder whispered as his fingers started to loosen; Danny's breathing evening out a little. "Did you think that you could find anyone in that place that would tell you you could free yourself of me?"
Danny's eyes narrowed as he tried to pull away; his helpless predicament, however, making it virtually impossible.
"You'll never be free of me," Wilder whispered in Danny's ear as he held Danny pinned against the side of the van. "NEVER!" He shouted; the close proximity and harshness in Wilder's tone, made Danny instantly flinch and then squirm. "Oh yes detective," Wilder smugly stated as his finger slowly edged under the tight strap of the gag and his flushed cheek and yanked his face closer. "We will die together."
Danny tried to pull himself away from Wilder's grasp but was unable and could only elicit a small whimper under the gag which only made Wilder's feeling of control grow a bit stronger.
"Hope you don't get car sick Danny boy," Wilder stated somewhat casually as he finally let go of Danny and leaned back against the opposite wall of the van; his dark gaze fixed on Danny's captive state. "Look out the window if you want. All you'll see is black. That's right. No city lights means no civilization around for miles. And that means I have you all to myself."
Wilder's lips parted and an evil laugh escaped; filling the back of the van with enough sarcastic chill to make Gus and Derek trade worried looks for a few seconds. The notion isn't lost on Danny who turned back to Wilder and tried to swallow.
This…this can't be…happening…someone…HELP ME!
XXXXXXXX
Frank looked at the text message on his phone as he waited for the Sherriff who oversaw the county that the Wellness Center was situated in.
'Dr. Day was shot. Three guards who transported Wilder are dead. Thomas Wilder is gone and Danny is missing.'
"Oh God…" Frank whispered as they headed for the NYPD helipad; Jamie and Anthony already en route to the Wellness Center. "Please let him be okay…" he concluded as guilt seized him and refused to let go. If he hadn't convinced his son to stay, Danny wouldn't be in the clutches of his arch nemesis, a man born of evil and violence and Dr. Day wouldn't be fighting for his life.
Course had they watched Blueridge a bit more…damn bastard…he timed it perfectly, Frank's mind lamented. But as he pondered the brevity and complexity of the situation, he realized that Blueridge had to have help; someone else on the inside, one of his men who had betrayed him for a few measly dollars. But who? Another traitor? Or did the Wilder's help impersonate an officer also?
"Baker, I want the file on every single officer and civilian who had access or contact with Thomas Wilder during his entire stay. I want them on my office yesterday."
"This way sir," the pilot ushered Frank toward the waiting helicopter. "Your office said it was an emergency?"
"My son has been kidnapped…by a madman."
Frank closed the door and then watched the ground starting to get smaller as the black chopper gained airspeed. Please…let us find him in time. Hold on Danny…just hold on.
XXXXXXXX
"So they found the three guards and the make of the stolen van. Black. No windows, except for the back and no plates."
"No plates?" Anthony asked loudly, trying to hear Jamie's voice over the rapidly whipping rotary blades. "Damn. We're chasing ghosts then."
Jamie's jaw clenched as he asked for security footage to at least get the direction.
"Sure thing detective but remember, once they are out of the immediate vicinity of the Wellness Center there are no camera's."
Jamie could only curse as he looked down at the object in his hands. "This laptop…we need someone who can hack into it."
"All the way out here?" Anthony countered as Jamie nodded.
"Got any ideas?"
"All the way out here?" Anthony deadpanned as Jamie slightly smirked. "I might. Let me make a call. I know a guy."
"All the way out here?" Jamie echoed Anthony's remarks which made them both smile. "This can't be happening," Jamie whispered as Anthony looked at him in remorse. "Thomas Wilder knows there's no going back. No games this time. He'll kill Danny. This was it for him. How did we let this happen?"
XXXXXXXX
Danny looked out the back window at the inky blackness that stared back at him with the same haunted gaze and turned to see Wilder's gaze fixated on him.
"No one around Danny boy. Just you…and me. No one coming to your help, in fact…no one knows where you are or where you'll be taken. Ever."
Just keep telling yourself you'll get free and kill him…you'll get free and kill him…Danny tried to get his brain to chant over and over in an attempt to convince himself that his current helpless and vulnerable predicament wasn't as bad as it seemed.
However, he feared by the time he came to believe it, it'd be too late – for him!
A/N: uh oh….well we knew it was building to the final capture and showdown (but after a bit of delicious Danny torment first hehe blame my muse‼) hmm will Dr. Day pull through? Will they find someone to help with the computer? Will Frank get over his guilt and how will Danny now fare in Wilder's evil clutches. Please do review and lemme know b/c you all rock so much and my muse Alice loves and thanks you all for supporting this story‼ thanks so much everyone!