Nowhere To Run
Chapter Twenty
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
Sorry it's taken so long to update! Real life just seems to keep getting in the way! LOL One more time………….thank you so much for the kind and thoughtful reviews!!
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
Time seemed to have stopped in the abandoned factory. No one moved and hardly a sound could be heard. Those present simply stared in shock at what had played out before them. Kate was dead, laying face down in a pool of her own blood. Jake stood a few paces away from her, gaping at the man who had saved his life. And Frank…….well Frank sat against the wall looking for all intents and purposes like a man who had just lost his will to live. His eyes stared listlessly at Kate's motionless body, his shoulders were slumped and his hand still barely held onto the weapon that had taken her life just moments before.
Even in the dim light, Jake could clearly see Frank's face. He'd seen his boss angry, upset, disgusted, even anguished but what he was witnessing now could be described as none of those things. His face displayed no emotion at all and that fact alone scared the hell out of Jake. He suddenly became very wary of the fact that Frank still held onto his gun. He wasn't afraid for his own life, but a fleeting notion entered his brain. What if Frank tried to take his own life? The idea would have seemed absurd to him not even five minutes ago, but, then again, so much had changed in that span of time.
Jake approached Frank cautiously, deliberately taking slow and easy steps, trying to avoid any sudden movements. "Frank?" he said quietly as he neared him. Frank still stared blankly ahead, his sight never deviating from the woman lying before him.
"Frank? It's me……..Jake. Can you hear me?" The question seemed ridiculous, but given the circumstances and Frank's apparent state maybe a little less so. Frank still did not acknowledge him but something in his eyes led Jake to believe that he was slowly getting through.
"Frank? How about we get you out of here. Maybe head back to the Nest."
"No," Frank replied succinctly. The word was spoken barely above a whisper but the impact of the word led Jake to believe that there would be little room to compromise.
"Frank. Why don't you hand me your gun." At that Frank finally pulled his eyes away from Kate and turned his gaze to the man hunched down before him. Frank looked into his eyes and what Jake saw there nearly stopped his heart. This once strong, domineering man looked utterly defeated. His eyes pleaded with Jake, for what he didn't know.
"Can you hand me your gun?" Jake asked once again. Frank looked down at the object in his hand and seemed to only now realize what it was that he still held on to. He lifted the weapon and presented it to Jake as if it were a foreign object, an object to be hated and feared. Jake took the gun and slid it into his jacket pocket after re-engaging the safety.
Jake then stood and finally looked up at the people that he knew to be on the second level. He caught Monica's eye and motioned for her to come down to the bottom floor. Maybe she could help talk Frank through the pain and shock that Jake could only imagine.
Monica descended the remaining steps and walked lightly over to the two men. Frank had once again resumed his blank stare and Jake turned away from him momentarily in order to have a word with the profiler.
"Do what you can, Monica. Try to get him to come back to the Nest with us." She nodded in response then approached Frank. Jake walked away from the two and made his way up the stairs cautiously approaching the remainder of the group. Alex and Cody still appeared to be blown away by the evening's events. Director Lindford seemed to be fuming about something. And Tom stood back away from the bulk of the faction and Jake noticed that his eyes never left the FBI director.
"Cody," Jake said quietly, "will you call for an ambulance." Jake then turned briefly and gazed down at Frank, who remained stone still while Monica attempted to communicate with him. "Actually……….you better make that two squads." Cody blinked a few times before finally realizing that Jake was addressing him. Then he finally responded.
"Ummmm………..yeah. I'll do that right now."
"No need," Tom stated as he approached. "I've already called them. They should be here in fifteen."
"Thomas," Daniel nearly hissed. "May I have a word with you………..privately."
Tom scowled at the sound of the man's voice. He barely turned in his direction before answering. "What do you want?"
Daniel's eyes nearly bugged out of his head and his face flushed with anger. "I said…..I need to speak with you privately……….NOW!"
Tom looked quickly at Jake before turning to join the other man who had stalked away from the remaining agents.
"Alright……..I'll repeat my question," Tom began. "What do you want?"
"Haven't you forgotten something?" Daniel asked sarcastically.
Tom pretended to ponder the question for a brief moment before replying in a mocking tone, "No……no, I don't think so."
"Donovan, you idiot!" he murmured condescendingly.
Again Tom feigned ignorance while looking toward the man that he could still see sitting on the cold concrete on the floor below. "Yep…..he's right there, but I don't think he's up to having a word with you right now."
Daniel narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists before responding in a nearly inaudible voice. "Have you totally forgotten your purpose here? Your assignment was to take out Agent Donovan, and judging by the fact that the man still seems to be breathing, I'd say you have work to do."
Tom stared at the man standing before him in disbelief. "In case you haven't noticed, Mr. FBI Director, there are quite a number of other agents in the vicinity, not to mention his own team. Do you really think they won't notice if I take out my gun and shoot the man dead? Are you really that much of an idiot? And if so, how the hell did you rise to your position at the Bureau? And as for Frank Donovan………look at the man! I mean really look at him! He's destroyed. Finished. It's over. Killing him now would be pointless, or don't you see that?"
Daniel stood there seething throughout Tom's tirade. If he could have gotten away with it, he would have pulled his own weapon out and shot the man dead himself. He just wasn't sure which to start with, Frank or Tom? Suddenly turning, he faced Jake.
"Agent Shaw………I want you to place Agent Donovan under arrest."
Jake stared blankly back at him before responding, "Excuse me? Did you just ask me to put my boss under arrest?"
"No, Agent Shaw, I asked you to take a presumed felon into custody."
Jake glanced back and forth between Daniel, Tom and the remaining team members, but before he could respond, Tom interrupted.
"Ignore that order Jake." Daniel spun around to face the CIA agent.
"What did you say?"
"I told Agent Shaw to ignore your order," Tom answered matter of factly.
"And who the hell do you think you are to countermand one of my orders??"
Tom paced closer to the FBI director and stopped when he was within a foot of the man. Looking him directly in the eye, he stated in a low, but clearly audible voice, "I'm the man that's going to make sure that you're locked away for a good long time."
"What the hell……….."
"Agent Shaw……..arrest Director Lindford on charges of attempting to have a federal agent killed." Daniel's eyes flew open wide and his mouth dropped open.
"Are you insane?? You can't have me arrested! Agent Shaw, you have your orders! Obviously Thomas is having some sort of breakdown, spouting such ridiculous tripe!" Daniel then turned to see that Jake hadn't moved an inch but remained staring at him incredulously. "Agent Shaw! I repeat, carry out your orders!!" Jake stayed put and slowly looked back and forth between Tom and Daniel. Daniel Lindford was clearly teetering on the edge. Face flushed, eyes darting around wildly. Tom on the other hand looked to be a man in complete control. He returned Jake's gaze with confidence and……..something else………triumph?
After a few more moments, Jake approached Daniel and said, "Turn over your weapon……..now." Daniel's mouth gaped open.
"Agent Shaw," Daniel began slowly, "Thomas here is clearly suffering from the effects of what has happened this evening. I would suggest that you complete the orders that I previously gave you. Take Agent Donovan into custody."
Jake didn't even hesitate this time before responding, "I don't think so. Hand over your weapon, or we'll have no choice but to take it from you forcibly."
Daniel began to back away from Jake while at the same time starting to reach under his suit jacket, but he was suddenly stopped when Alex moved her hand over the top of his and quickly relieved him of the gun holstered at his side. He reeled swiftly around and faced her. He began to turn in circles facing one agent after another all of whom had effectively trapped him. He spun to face Tom once more.
"Your career is over," he threatened. "No one will ever believe whatever nonsense you're spouting. Don't you see that?? You have the audacity to accuse me of attempting to have an agent killed. What agent? I have no idea what the hell you're talking about!!"
"Really?" Tom replied calmly. "Oh…….I think you do. But just in case you need your memory refreshed, perhaps this will help." And out of a jacket pocket, Tom pulled out a small cassette recorder. He turned the volume up on it and hit play.
Daniel stared at the offending machine in horror as it played back the conversation he had had with Tom just minutes earlier, and when he heard his own voice relaying the order to have Donovan killed, Daniel visibly blanched and his eyes shut tight trying to block out any further input.
"And if that's not enough, I also recorded the phone conversation we had just a few days ago when you issued the order originally. Care to hear that one too?" Tom asked condescendingly. Daniel stood stock still for several moments and when he finally opened his eyes, Tom saw the gears turning behind them.
"Tom," Daniel began rather calmly, too calmly perhaps. "I think you may have forgotten a very important point here, these gentlemen………," he stated pointing to the ten agents who had arrived with them, "……..work for me." Tom looked rather casually at the other agents present, before returning his gaze to the Director,
"Yeah……..about that………I don't think so."
"You don't think so, what?" Daniel asked clearly irritated.
"Well………it seems that they don't work for you. You forget that the Company has operatives everywhere. Places you never thought of. These men are under my orders………not yours." Daniel looked at Tom in disbelief. He was trapped. Tom had just shut the door on his last hope of escape.
Tom looked at the man in front of him and saw the light of indignation begin to fade from behind his eyes. Once again, he turned to Jake.
"I think Director Lindford is ready to be taken into custody now. Would you see that he's placed under proper arrest? And then these men will make sure that he's taken to the proper authorities." Jake nodded almost numbly in reply. Walking up to Daniel he placed his hand on his arm and began to lead him to the waiting cars outside, followed by most of the remaining agents.
While Jake was escorting the FBI Director outside, Tom turned back toward the overlook to the bottom floor. He could see that Frank hadn't moved an inch and that Monica was now also sitting on the floor trying to talk to him. Tom knew that at this moment, reason was the last thing that Frank Donovan could, or would be willing to, listen to.
"Do you think he's going to be alright?" Alex asked softly joining him. Tom glanced at her and could see real concern in her eyes. His gaze drifted to Cody who stood beside her and he too seemed distraught over everything that he had witnessed.
"I don't know, Alex," he answered, "I honestly don't know."
"I can't believe he shot her. I mean they seemed……..he seemed to care for her so much. He had willingly risked everything to protect her, and now…….this. How could he do that?" she asked incredulously.
"Alex, I don't know what to tell you, but consider this. He was faced with an impossible decision. The woman that he loved was about to shoot a member of his team, someone who's life he was responsible for. He had two choices……..either let Kate shoot Jake or remove the threat entirely. And there was only one way to do that. With as keyed up as she apparently was, if Frank had simply tried to wound her, she would almost certainly have followed through on taking Jake out." Tom faced Alex and Cody and let the importance of his words sink in. He watched as they both continued to stare at their boss, the shock now giving way to sympathy and sadness.
Jake once again entered the abandoned factory and approached the three as they stood by the railing. "Lindford's on his way back to DC," he reported. "The other agents will make sure that he gets there safe and sound." Tom nodded in acknowledgement.
"There is one more thing," Tom began, "the ambulance will be here soon, when it arrives, I want you to get Frank out of here. If I know him, he's going to insist on going with her, so do what you can to make sure that doesn't happen."
The four agents stared at him uncomprehendingly. "If he goes with her, there are going to be one too many questions asked. Know what I mean? At some point, some official is going to ask how she got shot. And with Frank in this state, he's liable to blurt out that he killed her. Do you understand now? This whole situation is so much more than a man shooting a woman. At least for right now, we have to do what we can to protect him and to cover up all the circumstances that led up to this. The time will come in the not too distant future for answers to be given, but now is not that time." As Tom finished his speech, the sound of distant sirens could now be heard.
"What about Lindford?" Jake asked.
"What about him?"
"What part did he play in all this?"
Tom paused before answering. "Actually…….a very small part. But don't worry. If I know Daniel Lindford, he'll squeal. In fact, he's probably blabbing his head off right now. He'll give up the men he reported to. And they'll give up their bosses, etc. until we run across some patriot who will decide it's better to be a martyr then a rat. We won't eradicate the infection completely, but we'll sure as hell make sure it doesn't come back anytime soon."
The sirens were drawing near and the lights from the ambulance could be seen through the warped and missing windowpanes. Jake motioned for the others to follow him leaving Tom to greet the incoming vehicle.
The four descended the stairs and drew close to Frank and Monica. Jake looked first at Frank and noticed that he appeared to have retreated into some inner world. His eyes were fixed on a single point, although Jake noted that his gaze no longer seemed locked on Kate's lifeless body, but rather on an undetermined spot on the far wall. He then turned his attention to Monica and she looked back at him shaking her head almost imperceptibly, her meaning clear. She'd tried to get through to Frank but had had no luck.
"Alex, will you help me try to get him up?" Jake asked quietly. She nodded her head and moved to the other side of Frank. With one final look between them, they attempted to raise Frank from his sitting position on the floor. Putting their hands under his arms, the two began pulling him to his feet. Surprisingly, he made no effort to fight them, but rather he went along with their gentle urging. Once they had him on his feet, the three began to move toward the staircase. Jake worried that getting him up the stairs might prove difficult, but once there, Frank moved of his own volition although in a slow and sluggish manner. They near the top of the steps when the med team came in with the gurney. Only then did Frank seem to become aware of what was happening around him. He stopped completely, just shy of the second floor landing and stared unblinkingly at the ambulance gurney. Jake watched as Frank tried to process what he was seeing and was disheartened to realize that nothing seemed to be getting through to him. Once more, he and Alex assisted him and after a few seconds Frank relented and reached the second floor.
Tom approached them and said, "Take him back to the warehouse and I'll stop by there after………we've finished up here." The group nodded and started for the exit. One of the EMT's, seeing Frank's condition, came forward.
"Is he alright? Has he been hurt as well?" the man asked concerned.
"No," Jake quickly responded, "he hasn't been hurt, he's just in shock. He was a witness to what happened, and we need to question him further." The man nodded his understanding but still looked toward Frank, noting the empty vacant stare.
"Cody? Will you get one of the cars and pull it into the alley here?" Jake asked.
"You got it. I'll be right back." Cody then quickly exited leaving behind the evening's bizarre proceedings.
Alex and Jake still led Frank slowly toward the exit. Jake noted that Frank's body seemed to be functioning on automatic pilot. His movements were exaggerated and still rather slow. He sighed and looked past Frank to Alex who appeared to have noticed the same. Once outside, they halted Frank's progress and waited for Cody to return with the car.
"Jake, can I talk to you?" Monica questioned.
"Sure Monica, what is it?"
Monica shook her head. "Not here. Let's step away from the others." Jake nodded and followed her a few feet away.
"Jake……..he needs help. We can't just take him back to the Nest and hope for the best. For some reason, I don't think a good night's sleep is gonna solve this. He needs professional help."
"He's got you. You can help him," Jake stated matter of factly.
"I appreciate your faith in me, Jake. But I'm a profiler, not a psychiatrist. He needs therapy and if he doesn't get it soon, he may never come out of this catatonia. Look at him Jake. I bet he doesn't even know where he is."
"I hear ya Monica, but you heard Tom………"
"Yes, I heard Tom, but I'm telling you, we have to think about Donovan and not about the consequences to this investigation. Which is more important Jake? This case or Donovan's health?" Jake eyes her for a few moments and then nodded in agreement.
"You're right, but where should we take him?"
"There's a facility about 10 miles out of town. It's got some of the best doctors around on staff. He'll get the help he needs there."
"OK, I'm just going to let Tom know about the change in plans. Although I'll bet right now, that he won't be happy about it."
"I don't know Jake, he might surprise you. After all, Frank is his friend too, you know." Jake nodded and then re-entered the building.
He found Tom on the staircase overlooking the activities below. The EMT's had already loaded Kate's body onto the gurney and were finishing with their preliminary report.
Tom hear Jake's footsteps and turned toward him. "Is he giving you problems?"
Jake shook his head. "No, he's still pretty much out of it. Going through the motions. No…….we've decided that we need to take him to a hospital. He needs help. This silence isn't good. Especially from a man like Donovan."
Tom looked at the other agent for a few seconds before responding. "You're right. You should take him to a hospital. There's a place a few miles out of town. It's called Brookside. They're supposed to be very good."
Jake nodded in agreement. "That's the place that Monica suggested. As soon as Cody gets back here with one of the cars, that's where we'll head." Jake then turned to head for the door once more.
"Just one more thing Jake." Jake paused and then turned to face Tom again.
"Actually…….make that two things. One…….no one other than the doctors on staff or either you or I gets to talk to him. And two………..make sure they put him on suicide watch." Jake blinked a few times at the statement, but then slowly nodded his head in understanding. He then headed for the door once again. The night had taken a series of bizarre twists and turns. And as one problem seemed to have been solved, although bloodily, still another one seemed to have reared it's ugly head. Director Lindford had been taken into custody and the house of cards that he and his accomplices had built, had begun to tumble down, but in the end, the price had been incredibly high. Kate was dead, and Donovan appeared to have retreated into a world of his own making.
Jake reached the outside and saw Frank standing in the exact same place that he had left him just moments before. The same stance, the same look on his face. He shuddered, not from the cold, but from the fleeting idea that Frank would never recover from what had happened. A sound interrupted his reverie and he turned to see the ambulance personnel exiting with Kate in a body bag firmly strapped to the gurney. Jake involuntarily winced and then turned his attention back to Frank. He observed his boss as his attention slowly settled on the gurney. When Frank made no move toward the ambulance, Jake relaxed a bit.
"Go with her, Jake."
All eyes turned toward Frank, at first not believing that he had truly spoken. Frank then shifted his gaze from the gurney to look directly at Jake. Jake stared back at him and seemed at a loss for what to say.
"Go with her. I……..I don't want her to be alone," Frank said softly, his voice cracking.
"Alright, Frank. I'll go with her. Don't worry. She won't be left alone." Frank seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and then turned his attention once more to Kate's body on the stretcher. Just then, Cody pulled up in one of the cars and hopped out.
"Alex, will you and Cody help with Frank?" Both nodded and moved in to help. As they did so, Jake pulled Monica aside.
"Why me?" he asked simply as soon as they were out of earshot.
Monica sighed and then did her best to explain. "It's not an unusual request. You were there. I mean, right there when Kate died. In fact, you were the last person she saw before she lost her life. Somehow that binds you to her, at least in Donovan's mind. Right now, he's, of course, blaming himself for what happened. In his mind, he's the bad guy. He wants to go with her, but he doesn't think he's worthy enough to. You're the next best thing."
"Jesus!" Jake exclaimed, raking his hand through his hair. "I'm the reason she's dead! If I hadn't confronted her, then he would have never been put in that impossible situation. I mean, he should have let her shoot me. And for the life of me, I don't know why he didn't!" Monica watched as Jake paced back and forth clearly agitated by Frank's request. She knew where his head was. He had survivor's guilt. His life had been as much in the balance as Kate's and by some miracle he had survived instead of her. Monica also knew that in the end, Jake would need therapy just as much as Frank would.
"Jake……….we need to get going. We'll make sure that Donovan gets settled at the facility. You go with Kate. Make sure that she's………taken care of." Jake looked at her momentarily with near panic in his eyes but quickly calmed himself, knowing that his responsibilities had to outweigh any personal feelings, at least for now.
"Right……..I'll be OK. But Monica, Tom said to make sure that Frank only sees the doctors or he and I. Also……..make sure that they know that he could possibly be suicidal." Monica looked equally stunned but she, even more so than most, understood the reasoning behind the order.
The evening had indeed taken a bizarre turn, and Monica sighed knowing that a long road lay ahead of all of them.
///////////////////////////////////////////////
Chapter Twenty
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
Sorry it's taken so long to update! Real life just seems to keep getting in the way! LOL One more time………….thank you so much for the kind and thoughtful reviews!!
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
Time seemed to have stopped in the abandoned factory. No one moved and hardly a sound could be heard. Those present simply stared in shock at what had played out before them. Kate was dead, laying face down in a pool of her own blood. Jake stood a few paces away from her, gaping at the man who had saved his life. And Frank…….well Frank sat against the wall looking for all intents and purposes like a man who had just lost his will to live. His eyes stared listlessly at Kate's motionless body, his shoulders were slumped and his hand still barely held onto the weapon that had taken her life just moments before.
Even in the dim light, Jake could clearly see Frank's face. He'd seen his boss angry, upset, disgusted, even anguished but what he was witnessing now could be described as none of those things. His face displayed no emotion at all and that fact alone scared the hell out of Jake. He suddenly became very wary of the fact that Frank still held onto his gun. He wasn't afraid for his own life, but a fleeting notion entered his brain. What if Frank tried to take his own life? The idea would have seemed absurd to him not even five minutes ago, but, then again, so much had changed in that span of time.
Jake approached Frank cautiously, deliberately taking slow and easy steps, trying to avoid any sudden movements. "Frank?" he said quietly as he neared him. Frank still stared blankly ahead, his sight never deviating from the woman lying before him.
"Frank? It's me……..Jake. Can you hear me?" The question seemed ridiculous, but given the circumstances and Frank's apparent state maybe a little less so. Frank still did not acknowledge him but something in his eyes led Jake to believe that he was slowly getting through.
"Frank? How about we get you out of here. Maybe head back to the Nest."
"No," Frank replied succinctly. The word was spoken barely above a whisper but the impact of the word led Jake to believe that there would be little room to compromise.
"Frank. Why don't you hand me your gun." At that Frank finally pulled his eyes away from Kate and turned his gaze to the man hunched down before him. Frank looked into his eyes and what Jake saw there nearly stopped his heart. This once strong, domineering man looked utterly defeated. His eyes pleaded with Jake, for what he didn't know.
"Can you hand me your gun?" Jake asked once again. Frank looked down at the object in his hand and seemed to only now realize what it was that he still held on to. He lifted the weapon and presented it to Jake as if it were a foreign object, an object to be hated and feared. Jake took the gun and slid it into his jacket pocket after re-engaging the safety.
Jake then stood and finally looked up at the people that he knew to be on the second level. He caught Monica's eye and motioned for her to come down to the bottom floor. Maybe she could help talk Frank through the pain and shock that Jake could only imagine.
Monica descended the remaining steps and walked lightly over to the two men. Frank had once again resumed his blank stare and Jake turned away from him momentarily in order to have a word with the profiler.
"Do what you can, Monica. Try to get him to come back to the Nest with us." She nodded in response then approached Frank. Jake walked away from the two and made his way up the stairs cautiously approaching the remainder of the group. Alex and Cody still appeared to be blown away by the evening's events. Director Lindford seemed to be fuming about something. And Tom stood back away from the bulk of the faction and Jake noticed that his eyes never left the FBI director.
"Cody," Jake said quietly, "will you call for an ambulance." Jake then turned briefly and gazed down at Frank, who remained stone still while Monica attempted to communicate with him. "Actually……….you better make that two squads." Cody blinked a few times before finally realizing that Jake was addressing him. Then he finally responded.
"Ummmm………..yeah. I'll do that right now."
"No need," Tom stated as he approached. "I've already called them. They should be here in fifteen."
"Thomas," Daniel nearly hissed. "May I have a word with you………..privately."
Tom scowled at the sound of the man's voice. He barely turned in his direction before answering. "What do you want?"
Daniel's eyes nearly bugged out of his head and his face flushed with anger. "I said…..I need to speak with you privately……….NOW!"
Tom looked quickly at Jake before turning to join the other man who had stalked away from the remaining agents.
"Alright……..I'll repeat my question," Tom began. "What do you want?"
"Haven't you forgotten something?" Daniel asked sarcastically.
Tom pretended to ponder the question for a brief moment before replying in a mocking tone, "No……no, I don't think so."
"Donovan, you idiot!" he murmured condescendingly.
Again Tom feigned ignorance while looking toward the man that he could still see sitting on the cold concrete on the floor below. "Yep…..he's right there, but I don't think he's up to having a word with you right now."
Daniel narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists before responding in a nearly inaudible voice. "Have you totally forgotten your purpose here? Your assignment was to take out Agent Donovan, and judging by the fact that the man still seems to be breathing, I'd say you have work to do."
Tom stared at the man standing before him in disbelief. "In case you haven't noticed, Mr. FBI Director, there are quite a number of other agents in the vicinity, not to mention his own team. Do you really think they won't notice if I take out my gun and shoot the man dead? Are you really that much of an idiot? And if so, how the hell did you rise to your position at the Bureau? And as for Frank Donovan………look at the man! I mean really look at him! He's destroyed. Finished. It's over. Killing him now would be pointless, or don't you see that?"
Daniel stood there seething throughout Tom's tirade. If he could have gotten away with it, he would have pulled his own weapon out and shot the man dead himself. He just wasn't sure which to start with, Frank or Tom? Suddenly turning, he faced Jake.
"Agent Shaw………I want you to place Agent Donovan under arrest."
Jake stared blankly back at him before responding, "Excuse me? Did you just ask me to put my boss under arrest?"
"No, Agent Shaw, I asked you to take a presumed felon into custody."
Jake glanced back and forth between Daniel, Tom and the remaining team members, but before he could respond, Tom interrupted.
"Ignore that order Jake." Daniel spun around to face the CIA agent.
"What did you say?"
"I told Agent Shaw to ignore your order," Tom answered matter of factly.
"And who the hell do you think you are to countermand one of my orders??"
Tom paced closer to the FBI director and stopped when he was within a foot of the man. Looking him directly in the eye, he stated in a low, but clearly audible voice, "I'm the man that's going to make sure that you're locked away for a good long time."
"What the hell……….."
"Agent Shaw……..arrest Director Lindford on charges of attempting to have a federal agent killed." Daniel's eyes flew open wide and his mouth dropped open.
"Are you insane?? You can't have me arrested! Agent Shaw, you have your orders! Obviously Thomas is having some sort of breakdown, spouting such ridiculous tripe!" Daniel then turned to see that Jake hadn't moved an inch but remained staring at him incredulously. "Agent Shaw! I repeat, carry out your orders!!" Jake stayed put and slowly looked back and forth between Tom and Daniel. Daniel Lindford was clearly teetering on the edge. Face flushed, eyes darting around wildly. Tom on the other hand looked to be a man in complete control. He returned Jake's gaze with confidence and……..something else………triumph?
After a few more moments, Jake approached Daniel and said, "Turn over your weapon……..now." Daniel's mouth gaped open.
"Agent Shaw," Daniel began slowly, "Thomas here is clearly suffering from the effects of what has happened this evening. I would suggest that you complete the orders that I previously gave you. Take Agent Donovan into custody."
Jake didn't even hesitate this time before responding, "I don't think so. Hand over your weapon, or we'll have no choice but to take it from you forcibly."
Daniel began to back away from Jake while at the same time starting to reach under his suit jacket, but he was suddenly stopped when Alex moved her hand over the top of his and quickly relieved him of the gun holstered at his side. He reeled swiftly around and faced her. He began to turn in circles facing one agent after another all of whom had effectively trapped him. He spun to face Tom once more.
"Your career is over," he threatened. "No one will ever believe whatever nonsense you're spouting. Don't you see that?? You have the audacity to accuse me of attempting to have an agent killed. What agent? I have no idea what the hell you're talking about!!"
"Really?" Tom replied calmly. "Oh…….I think you do. But just in case you need your memory refreshed, perhaps this will help." And out of a jacket pocket, Tom pulled out a small cassette recorder. He turned the volume up on it and hit play.
Daniel stared at the offending machine in horror as it played back the conversation he had had with Tom just minutes earlier, and when he heard his own voice relaying the order to have Donovan killed, Daniel visibly blanched and his eyes shut tight trying to block out any further input.
"And if that's not enough, I also recorded the phone conversation we had just a few days ago when you issued the order originally. Care to hear that one too?" Tom asked condescendingly. Daniel stood stock still for several moments and when he finally opened his eyes, Tom saw the gears turning behind them.
"Tom," Daniel began rather calmly, too calmly perhaps. "I think you may have forgotten a very important point here, these gentlemen………," he stated pointing to the ten agents who had arrived with them, "……..work for me." Tom looked rather casually at the other agents present, before returning his gaze to the Director,
"Yeah……..about that………I don't think so."
"You don't think so, what?" Daniel asked clearly irritated.
"Well………it seems that they don't work for you. You forget that the Company has operatives everywhere. Places you never thought of. These men are under my orders………not yours." Daniel looked at Tom in disbelief. He was trapped. Tom had just shut the door on his last hope of escape.
Tom looked at the man in front of him and saw the light of indignation begin to fade from behind his eyes. Once again, he turned to Jake.
"I think Director Lindford is ready to be taken into custody now. Would you see that he's placed under proper arrest? And then these men will make sure that he's taken to the proper authorities." Jake nodded almost numbly in reply. Walking up to Daniel he placed his hand on his arm and began to lead him to the waiting cars outside, followed by most of the remaining agents.
While Jake was escorting the FBI Director outside, Tom turned back toward the overlook to the bottom floor. He could see that Frank hadn't moved an inch and that Monica was now also sitting on the floor trying to talk to him. Tom knew that at this moment, reason was the last thing that Frank Donovan could, or would be willing to, listen to.
"Do you think he's going to be alright?" Alex asked softly joining him. Tom glanced at her and could see real concern in her eyes. His gaze drifted to Cody who stood beside her and he too seemed distraught over everything that he had witnessed.
"I don't know, Alex," he answered, "I honestly don't know."
"I can't believe he shot her. I mean they seemed……..he seemed to care for her so much. He had willingly risked everything to protect her, and now…….this. How could he do that?" she asked incredulously.
"Alex, I don't know what to tell you, but consider this. He was faced with an impossible decision. The woman that he loved was about to shoot a member of his team, someone who's life he was responsible for. He had two choices……..either let Kate shoot Jake or remove the threat entirely. And there was only one way to do that. With as keyed up as she apparently was, if Frank had simply tried to wound her, she would almost certainly have followed through on taking Jake out." Tom faced Alex and Cody and let the importance of his words sink in. He watched as they both continued to stare at their boss, the shock now giving way to sympathy and sadness.
Jake once again entered the abandoned factory and approached the three as they stood by the railing. "Lindford's on his way back to DC," he reported. "The other agents will make sure that he gets there safe and sound." Tom nodded in acknowledgement.
"There is one more thing," Tom began, "the ambulance will be here soon, when it arrives, I want you to get Frank out of here. If I know him, he's going to insist on going with her, so do what you can to make sure that doesn't happen."
The four agents stared at him uncomprehendingly. "If he goes with her, there are going to be one too many questions asked. Know what I mean? At some point, some official is going to ask how she got shot. And with Frank in this state, he's liable to blurt out that he killed her. Do you understand now? This whole situation is so much more than a man shooting a woman. At least for right now, we have to do what we can to protect him and to cover up all the circumstances that led up to this. The time will come in the not too distant future for answers to be given, but now is not that time." As Tom finished his speech, the sound of distant sirens could now be heard.
"What about Lindford?" Jake asked.
"What about him?"
"What part did he play in all this?"
Tom paused before answering. "Actually…….a very small part. But don't worry. If I know Daniel Lindford, he'll squeal. In fact, he's probably blabbing his head off right now. He'll give up the men he reported to. And they'll give up their bosses, etc. until we run across some patriot who will decide it's better to be a martyr then a rat. We won't eradicate the infection completely, but we'll sure as hell make sure it doesn't come back anytime soon."
The sirens were drawing near and the lights from the ambulance could be seen through the warped and missing windowpanes. Jake motioned for the others to follow him leaving Tom to greet the incoming vehicle.
The four descended the stairs and drew close to Frank and Monica. Jake looked first at Frank and noticed that he appeared to have retreated into some inner world. His eyes were fixed on a single point, although Jake noted that his gaze no longer seemed locked on Kate's lifeless body, but rather on an undetermined spot on the far wall. He then turned his attention to Monica and she looked back at him shaking her head almost imperceptibly, her meaning clear. She'd tried to get through to Frank but had had no luck.
"Alex, will you help me try to get him up?" Jake asked quietly. She nodded her head and moved to the other side of Frank. With one final look between them, they attempted to raise Frank from his sitting position on the floor. Putting their hands under his arms, the two began pulling him to his feet. Surprisingly, he made no effort to fight them, but rather he went along with their gentle urging. Once they had him on his feet, the three began to move toward the staircase. Jake worried that getting him up the stairs might prove difficult, but once there, Frank moved of his own volition although in a slow and sluggish manner. They near the top of the steps when the med team came in with the gurney. Only then did Frank seem to become aware of what was happening around him. He stopped completely, just shy of the second floor landing and stared unblinkingly at the ambulance gurney. Jake watched as Frank tried to process what he was seeing and was disheartened to realize that nothing seemed to be getting through to him. Once more, he and Alex assisted him and after a few seconds Frank relented and reached the second floor.
Tom approached them and said, "Take him back to the warehouse and I'll stop by there after………we've finished up here." The group nodded and started for the exit. One of the EMT's, seeing Frank's condition, came forward.
"Is he alright? Has he been hurt as well?" the man asked concerned.
"No," Jake quickly responded, "he hasn't been hurt, he's just in shock. He was a witness to what happened, and we need to question him further." The man nodded his understanding but still looked toward Frank, noting the empty vacant stare.
"Cody? Will you get one of the cars and pull it into the alley here?" Jake asked.
"You got it. I'll be right back." Cody then quickly exited leaving behind the evening's bizarre proceedings.
Alex and Jake still led Frank slowly toward the exit. Jake noted that Frank's body seemed to be functioning on automatic pilot. His movements were exaggerated and still rather slow. He sighed and looked past Frank to Alex who appeared to have noticed the same. Once outside, they halted Frank's progress and waited for Cody to return with the car.
"Jake, can I talk to you?" Monica questioned.
"Sure Monica, what is it?"
Monica shook her head. "Not here. Let's step away from the others." Jake nodded and followed her a few feet away.
"Jake……..he needs help. We can't just take him back to the Nest and hope for the best. For some reason, I don't think a good night's sleep is gonna solve this. He needs professional help."
"He's got you. You can help him," Jake stated matter of factly.
"I appreciate your faith in me, Jake. But I'm a profiler, not a psychiatrist. He needs therapy and if he doesn't get it soon, he may never come out of this catatonia. Look at him Jake. I bet he doesn't even know where he is."
"I hear ya Monica, but you heard Tom………"
"Yes, I heard Tom, but I'm telling you, we have to think about Donovan and not about the consequences to this investigation. Which is more important Jake? This case or Donovan's health?" Jake eyes her for a few moments and then nodded in agreement.
"You're right, but where should we take him?"
"There's a facility about 10 miles out of town. It's got some of the best doctors around on staff. He'll get the help he needs there."
"OK, I'm just going to let Tom know about the change in plans. Although I'll bet right now, that he won't be happy about it."
"I don't know Jake, he might surprise you. After all, Frank is his friend too, you know." Jake nodded and then re-entered the building.
He found Tom on the staircase overlooking the activities below. The EMT's had already loaded Kate's body onto the gurney and were finishing with their preliminary report.
Tom hear Jake's footsteps and turned toward him. "Is he giving you problems?"
Jake shook his head. "No, he's still pretty much out of it. Going through the motions. No…….we've decided that we need to take him to a hospital. He needs help. This silence isn't good. Especially from a man like Donovan."
Tom looked at the other agent for a few seconds before responding. "You're right. You should take him to a hospital. There's a place a few miles out of town. It's called Brookside. They're supposed to be very good."
Jake nodded in agreement. "That's the place that Monica suggested. As soon as Cody gets back here with one of the cars, that's where we'll head." Jake then turned to head for the door once more.
"Just one more thing Jake." Jake paused and then turned to face Tom again.
"Actually…….make that two things. One…….no one other than the doctors on staff or either you or I gets to talk to him. And two………..make sure they put him on suicide watch." Jake blinked a few times at the statement, but then slowly nodded his head in understanding. He then headed for the door once again. The night had taken a series of bizarre twists and turns. And as one problem seemed to have been solved, although bloodily, still another one seemed to have reared it's ugly head. Director Lindford had been taken into custody and the house of cards that he and his accomplices had built, had begun to tumble down, but in the end, the price had been incredibly high. Kate was dead, and Donovan appeared to have retreated into a world of his own making.
Jake reached the outside and saw Frank standing in the exact same place that he had left him just moments before. The same stance, the same look on his face. He shuddered, not from the cold, but from the fleeting idea that Frank would never recover from what had happened. A sound interrupted his reverie and he turned to see the ambulance personnel exiting with Kate in a body bag firmly strapped to the gurney. Jake involuntarily winced and then turned his attention back to Frank. He observed his boss as his attention slowly settled on the gurney. When Frank made no move toward the ambulance, Jake relaxed a bit.
"Go with her, Jake."
All eyes turned toward Frank, at first not believing that he had truly spoken. Frank then shifted his gaze from the gurney to look directly at Jake. Jake stared back at him and seemed at a loss for what to say.
"Go with her. I……..I don't want her to be alone," Frank said softly, his voice cracking.
"Alright, Frank. I'll go with her. Don't worry. She won't be left alone." Frank seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and then turned his attention once more to Kate's body on the stretcher. Just then, Cody pulled up in one of the cars and hopped out.
"Alex, will you and Cody help with Frank?" Both nodded and moved in to help. As they did so, Jake pulled Monica aside.
"Why me?" he asked simply as soon as they were out of earshot.
Monica sighed and then did her best to explain. "It's not an unusual request. You were there. I mean, right there when Kate died. In fact, you were the last person she saw before she lost her life. Somehow that binds you to her, at least in Donovan's mind. Right now, he's, of course, blaming himself for what happened. In his mind, he's the bad guy. He wants to go with her, but he doesn't think he's worthy enough to. You're the next best thing."
"Jesus!" Jake exclaimed, raking his hand through his hair. "I'm the reason she's dead! If I hadn't confronted her, then he would have never been put in that impossible situation. I mean, he should have let her shoot me. And for the life of me, I don't know why he didn't!" Monica watched as Jake paced back and forth clearly agitated by Frank's request. She knew where his head was. He had survivor's guilt. His life had been as much in the balance as Kate's and by some miracle he had survived instead of her. Monica also knew that in the end, Jake would need therapy just as much as Frank would.
"Jake……….we need to get going. We'll make sure that Donovan gets settled at the facility. You go with Kate. Make sure that she's………taken care of." Jake looked at her momentarily with near panic in his eyes but quickly calmed himself, knowing that his responsibilities had to outweigh any personal feelings, at least for now.
"Right……..I'll be OK. But Monica, Tom said to make sure that Frank only sees the doctors or he and I. Also……..make sure that they know that he could possibly be suicidal." Monica looked equally stunned but she, even more so than most, understood the reasoning behind the order.
The evening had indeed taken a bizarre turn, and Monica sighed knowing that a long road lay ahead of all of them.
///////////////////////////////////////////////