Chapter Ninety-seven
Watching Jake and Walker stare one another down motionlessly Neal started to fear that he'd made a major mistake but misjudging Jake's ability to face his demon. Standing about fifteen feet back near the entrance of the hall Neal had a view of the scene as if it was a paused hyper real movie. Frozen in place Jake looked like he was shutting down under the pressure. The longer Walker stared down the barrel of the gun the more comfortable and in control he became. Breaking the tension that had developed Walker suddenly chuckled and took a casual pull at his drink. Jake's already tense jaw became more defined as he ground his teeth together in pure rage. Neal could feel himself losing control of the situation before it had even really begun as Jake flicked off the safety and slipped his finger into the trigger guard.
"Jake," Neal called softly "you don't have to do any of this. Jake? Do you understand? Jake, talk to me."
Breathing heavily Jake tightened his hold on the gun grip until he blanch the blood from his fingers. Swallowing hard against dry throat Jake looked seconds away from losing the war with his emotions.
"Jake, don't take the easy path, please. I trusted you bringing you here."
"Enough, both of you just stop. This is insulting." Walker growled. "He's not going to shoot me. That gun isn't even loaded."
"York…" Neal warned.
"Don't call me that." Walker snapped at Neal. "You think I don't know who you are but I've done my research, you're that CI that went missing along with Agent Burke. I never thought I'd end up regretting reaching out to help a grieving woman, but I'm getting there. I know the FBI is hellbent on framing me for these ridiculous kidnapping charges but this set up is going a step too far. Do you really expect me to start monologuing like some bond villain? I'm truly sorry for what happened to you but I had *nothing* to do with it. Now get out of my house before I call the police and my lawyer!"
"The FBI isn't listening." Neal said keeping a nervous eye on Jake who still hadn't moved. "Jake kidnapped me and threatened to start killing people off the street if I didn't bring him to you. It's just us, and if…"
"Just you? Never."
"Walk…"
"Enough!" Walker barked as he fearlessly turned his attention back to Jake. "If you're here to kill me then do it!"
"I didn't come here to kill you." Jake replied as he finally snapped out of his trance and lowered the weapon.
"Then what are you doing here?"
"…I came to get my job back."
Gasping sharply Neal took a step back with a shocked look of betrayal as Jake spun around and raised his aim once more. Jake hesitated but only for a fraction of a second before pulling the trigger. Walker jolted at the crack of the gun as Neal was thrown backwards to the floor with a spray of crimson that spattered the once pristine white carpet. Not even trying to get up Neal writhed as he tried to regain his senses from the deafening ringing in his ears that was keeping him from focusing.
Dropping the empty gun Jake stalked over to Neal with a grim determination in his cold dark eyes. Neal yelped as Jake reached down and tangled his hand in his hair to drag him to his feet. Neal tried to grab Jake's wrist to free himself but with crimson streaking down his left arm and covering his hands Neal's grip kept slipping uselessly. Forcing Neal across the minimalisticly designed living room Jake threw him to the floor at Walker's feet.
Getting to his hands and knees Neal tried to scramble away but Jake kicked him in the side with enough force to knock him over. Breathless and dripping in sweat and red Neal rolled over onto his back. Making sure he was going to stay down Jake put his foot on Neal's chest. Pinned to the floor Neal stared up at Jake in a mix of confusion and terror.
"Don't look so shocked, Neal." Jake jeered as he pulled a blank round out of his pocket and flicked it aggressively at Neal. "You're not the only one with sleight of hand skills."
"Ja…Jake, what…what are you doing?" Neal whimpered.
"What does it look like?"
"Jake, no, don't…don't do this." Neal begged as he fought to keep conscious. "Please…"
"It's too late, Neal, I made my choice."
Walker didn't interfere or even offer any thoughts on the violent turn of events unfolding at his feet, he didn't even take a step back. Watching the show like an uninvolved spectator Walker had an unreadable expression on his face. Ignoring Walker Jake dropped to his knees and grabbed the front of Neal's shirt and tore it open revealing a wire and an untouched blood pack taped to Neal's right shoulder. Ripping the wire off Jake crushed it before removing the fake blood and throwing that across the room. Jake tore Neal's shirt open further revealing an actively bleeding gun shot wound in his left bicep. Seeing the real injury finally got Walker's attention as he raised an eyebrow with a smirk.
"You think some fucking red dye and corn syrup was going to fool a man who has spent decades bathing in the blood of others?!" Jake snarled passionately. "I can't decide what's worse: the idea that you thought your plan would work or the fact that you thought that I'd actually go along with it. You have no idea who you are dealing with!"
"Jake," Neal panted "I was trying to save you."
"You ruined my life!" Jake spat at Neal before looking up at Walker. "He thought we could take you down on our own with a little show, but it never even occurred to him that I wasn't looking for revenge. He never once thought that what I was actually looking for was…forgiveness."
"Interesting." Walker mused.
Doing his best not to hyperventilate Neal tried to discreetly look at his watch but the face was covered in blood. Neal's motion caught Jake's attention. Jake lashed out and grabbed Neal's wrist prying a cry of pain from him. Jake rubbed the blood off the watch to reveal the time. A look of panicked concern flirted across Jake's face as he seemed to realize for the first time just how much blood Neal was losing. However much like in the Labyrinth his brush with compassion was replaced with a disgusted snarl. Dropping Neal's wrist Jake tore Neal's right sleeve off and went to use it to tie off his injured arm. Baring his teeth at Jake Neal fought against the medical treatment at first before giving up and allowing it. Once Jake had slowed the bleeding Neal attempted another look at his watch now that it was clean. Jake furrowed his brow and looked at the watch as well.
"Why do you keep checking your wat…" Jake stopped as he swore. "Peter's coming, isn't he?"
"Please don't hurt him." Neal begged. "This is my fault, not his."
"Ne…Neal?" Peter stuttered in shock, giving away his position at the end of the hallway as he arrived on the scene.
"Peter! Peter, no!" Neal panicked. "Run!"
Paralyzed by the gore spattered everywhere Peter didn't move one way or another as he seemingly lost sight of whatever his original plan may have been in a horrified daze. Holding Neal down Jake looked up to Walker for orders. Walker drained the rest of his drink and tossed the glass away. Slipping his hands into his pockets as his face suddenly beamed with a cruel smile.
"Welcome to the party, Agent Burke. I'm glad you're here, things are just getting interesting."
