Author's Note & Disclaimer: I do not own Blue Bloods or any of its characters. All rights belong to CBS.
I know it's been a while since my last update. My life got a little hectic shortly after I posted the last chapter. Now that things are settling down, I finally have some time to myself and I've made it my main priority to finish this story. Thank you all for your patience and your kind reviews. They mean so much to me! =)
Chapter 6
Maria's hands are trembling when she reads the note. Her gut instinct is telling her to get out as quick as possible. Not wanting to waste any more time, she rushes to her room and gets dressed into some black leggings and a simple t-shirt.
She's quick to pack an overnight bag, making sure to pack extra just in case she wouldn't be able to return for a few days. Before closing her travel bag, she retrieves a gun she's hidden behind her headboard as well as a small box she had stashed at the back of her closet.
On her way out of her apartment she collects the latest letter she'd received with a napkin, making sure not to leave any more of her prints on it, and then proceeds to walk out of her apartment.
She's looking over her shoulder constantly while rushing to get to her vehicle. As soon as she gets there, Maria throws all her belongings into the back seat. Suddenly she gets that feeling again, the feeling that she's being watched. Her attention goes to a dark corner of the building across the street.
Maria sees what looks like to be a figure of a man wearing a hoodie. She's quick to get into the driver seat and starts the car.
All of a sudden she sees the figure begin to move closer and more into the light. Her heart is racing; she feels like she might even throw up. The mystery man moves even closer and it is then that she is able to get a clearer view of his face. That is when she sees his face. The face of the man she believed had died years ago.
"M—M—Marco?…how…oh my God…," she's starting to hyperventilate. There are so many emotions going through her and all at once. She stays frozen there for a second, chills coursing through her body. Then and mostly out of instinct she puts the car in drive and takes off. As she's speeding away she looks in the rear view mirror and sees the man moving to stand in the middle of the street. She continues and focuses more on the road and her surroundings. When she glances back in her rear view mirror, she doesn't see Marco anymore.
"Oh my God! Oh my God!" she keeps saying, trying her best to control her breathing and focus on her driving.
Luckily she's not too far from the precinct. She picks up her speed when she notices the traffic light turn yellow. Not wanting to stop, she speeds up before the light turns red and safely makes it across the intersection. She continues checking her surroundings, taking frequent glances at the rear view mirror as well as both side view mirrors.
Just then she notices a black SUV, swerving in and out of traffic and is now about two cars behind her. She's being followed. Not wanting to take chances, she reaches for her phone and presses the dial button. She's surprised when she hears who answers her call.
"Good evening Detective Baez. I hope you're not calling to request off for tomorrow morning again…" it was Lt. Gee.
"Lieutenant! Sir, I think I'm being followed! I'm on my way to the 5-4 right now. I was hoping to call Danny but I accidentally called you instead. I-" Maria says, while she is trying to put more distance between her and the SUV.
"That's ok, Baez. Stay with me, don't you dare hang up. I was just walking out of my office, I'm going call it in. Give me your location and any details you can"
Maria tells him everything he needs to know and can hear him screaming at dispatch to put an alert out for her car. The SUV is swerving in and out of traffic and is getting closer to her. It's then that she notices that she is approaching another red light.
"Sir, they're gaining on me and I'm about to reach another intersection and the light is red."
"Ok, I need you to listen to me Baez. I want you to run the red light. Do it, Baez!"
She does as she's told. Luckily for her she doesn't hit or crash into anything. She keeps looking back to see if it stops the SUV from following. It does slow them down but they run the red light as well and continue their pursuit.
"Baez! Talk to me! What's going on? You okay?"
"Yes, sir. The light kind of slowed them down but they're still in pursuit."
"Ok, you did good Baez. You're almost here. You should see a few squad cars coming your way any second now."
"Copy that."
Just then she sees two squad cars pull into the street and they are able to cut off the SUV. This allows Maria to safely get away.
"Boss, I'm down the street. Two squad cars were able to help me get away and I believe they're in pursuit of the SUV. I'll see you in a few."
"We're out here waiting for you Baez. Don't hang up. Park in the front and we'll cover you from here."
"Roger that, boss," Maria manages to say, her voice breaking a bit.
True to his word, Lt Gee and about a dozen officers are waiting for Maria outside the precinct. Two officers cover her as soon as she's out of the car. They continue to cover until she makes it into the building.
"Come on Baez. We're going straight to my office," Lt Gee places an arm around her and guides her throughout the precinct.
She nods quietly, while keeping her head down and trying to control her breathing.
When they arrive, Lt Gee orders an officer to stay put outside his office and another officer to move Maria's car to a more secure spot. He then takes a good look at Maria, and notices her swollen lip as well as some swelling on one side of her face.
"Baez, what happened to your face? Let me call a bus."
"No! I mean.. I'm fine, boss."
"You don't look fine. What happened to you? Where were you going when you noticed that someone was tailing you?"
"It's kind of a long story Boss. I promise to explain myself and give a detailed account of the events that have happened over the last 24 hours, but first I need my tote bag from my car. I have some items in there that will help me explain. Also I think it's best if we call in my partner. This way I don't have to repeat my story too many times."
"Okay I'll send for your stuff but right now I need to know, are the injuries to your face from the one who was tailing you on the way here to the station? And if so, who is it and how do you know the person? I need a name or a description, Baez."
"Sir—I'm fine. This-," Maria says and gestures to her face, "this is nothing and it's unrelated to this incident right now. Please I'll explain, but I need the items from my bag."
Lt. Gee sighs and is about to question her again but his phone goes off. He's getting a call from 1PP.
"I've got to take this. You are to remain in this office until I come back. I will personally go get your bag. We will continue this conversation, Detective."
As soon as Lt. Gee leaves the office, Maria pulls out her phone and calls the person she intended to call in the first place.
"Hey partner, I was beginning to think you forgot about me."
"Danny…," Maria breaths out, feeling a tidal wave of emotions come over her all at once. She needed him.
"Baez? What is it? What's wrong?"
"Danny, I'm in trouble. I should've said something sooner but I thought I could handle this on my own….I'm so sorry Danny….I was stupid to think that –" She's rambling and he can hear the panic in her voice.
"Hey, hey it's okay. Where are you? I'll come get you."
"I'm at the precinct. I was being followed and I meant to call you but then I had actually called Lt. Gee….Danny please be careful."
"You were followed?!"
"Yes, black SUV. The last I heard our guys were chasing them down, I don't know the status of that yet.
"Jesus…wait, are you hurt?"
"I promise I'll explain everything when you get here."
"That doesn't answer my question, Maria."
"Please Danny. I'll tell you everything you need to know."
He lets out a frustrated sigh.
"I'm on my way."
