1A/N: Thanks to the readers – Extra thanks to the Reviewers. I hope you enjoy it!
Let the Games Begin
Simultaneously at 7:00 p.m.
The Hanrahan Household
Patty Deakins and her friend, Kerri, had finished clearing the dinner dishes from the table and sat back down to enjoy dessert with the rest of the Hanrahan family. As Mr. Hanrahan accepted his slice of German chocolate cake from his wife, his attention was caught by the TV in the adjoining den.
"Sshhhh, I want to hear this story," he said. The chatter around the table quieted down, as they heard the reporter's announcement.
Reporter: "The standoff began at approximately 3:00 p.m. this afternoon when, it was reported by witnesses, two armed men entered the Chase Manhattan Bank branch. Police advise that at least one person is dead, but it is possible that there are up to three others who might be dead or wounded. It is believed that the gunman or men is holding several hostages, as well. Police have cordoned off the area around Chase Manhattan Plaza and are continuing to attempt to negotiate with the gunman. Live, from lower Manhattan, this is Maria Brennan, Eyewitness News."
Mr. Hanrahan poured the half & half into his coffee and asked Patty, "That's downtown by your Dad's office, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Patty shook her head, "It's a few blocks away – – but I don't have to worry; my Dad left this afternoon for Las Vegas – some convention or something," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "Besides," she continued, "He rides a desk – that's what he's always complaining about to Mom, anyway," she said with laugh.
"So," Kerri's mother chimed in, "I hope you girls plan on getting an early start tomorrow; the mall's gonna' be crowded with the big sales at Macys and Bloomingdales."
"We're getting up early, Mom," Kerri said. "We wanna' be there as soon as the doors open at 9:30."
"Good! Your Aunt Carol and I are going, too. Maybe we can all meet somewhere and we'll take you out to lunch," Kerri's mother said. "How does that sound?"
Mr. Hanrahan laughed, "Sounds expensive, to me!"
Simultaneously at 7:00 p.m.
Inside the Mobile Command Unit Chase Manhattan Plaza
Lt. Schultz gave the telephone receiver a dirty look and hung it up. Sanchez and Marino could tell he was pissed off.
"There a problem?" Marino asked.
Schultz scowled, "Goren's on his way over. He thinks he's gonna' get the guy to talk," the Lieutenant scoffed.
Sanchez was still reviewing the thick file on Vasquez. He looked up at the Lieutenant; "He may be right," he said, his voice holding a glimmer of hope, as he handed the file back to Schultz. "Read this," Sanchez said, his index finger tapping the page.
Schultz read it and muttered, "I'll be damned."
"What's up?" Marino asked.
The Lieutenant laid the file down, as he filled Marino in on what Sanchez already knew. "Goren and Vasquez have a history – a bad one. Seems twelve years ago when Benny was heavy into the drug business up in Spanish Harlem, Goren was an undercover narc – – he infiltrated the gang and practically became Benny's right-hand man."
"Then what happened?" Marino asked, full of enthusiasm.
"Goren had him totally set up. The night the raid went down, it was Vasquez and Goren, together, backs against the wall – until Vasquez pulled his gun and got a shot off at one the Officers. Goren turned and fired on Benny – unfortunately, it only grazed Benny's shoulder. It didn't take Benny long to figure out that he'd been played and by the time Goren was laying the cuffs on him, he was already swearing revenge."
"Twelve years is a long time, Lieutenant, " Marino said. "Maybe bygones are bygones. D'you really think Vasquez is gonna' bite?"
"I guess we'll find out," Schultz said, as Sanchez simultaneously answered, "Oh, he'll bite."
Schultz and Marino looked at Sanchez. "What makes you so sure?" they asked in unison.
"You didn't read far enough, Lieutenant," he said with a chuckle. "Not only did Goren take a shot at Vasquez, but during the fourteen months of the Operation, he was bangin' Benny's sister– broke her heart," he said with a devilish grin. "Vasquez will pick up the phone. He's got two scores to settle."
7:13 p.m.
Goren & Eames in transit from 1PP to Chase Manhattan Plaza
It was a short ride from One Police Plaza to Chase Manhattan Plaza; so short, in fact, that Bobby barely had time to fill Alex in regarding his knowledge of and, more importantly, his history with Benny Vasquez. He was secretly glad that there wasn't time to tell her everything.
Alex screeched the black SUV to a halt, just outside the Police perimeter. Bobby bolted from the truck and joined Alex around back at the trunk, as they quickly donned their bullet-proof vests, double-checked their sidearms and headed for the Mobile Command Unit, on foot.
7:14 p.m.
Continental Flight #1699 to NYC
Deakins, Kowalski and Cragen had been seated in First Class for the return trip home. Aside from the fact that only two of the First Class seats were occupied by other passengers, it was a gesture of professional courtesy that the airline wanted to extend to the Captain, in light of the strenuous situation he was going through.
Despite Jimmy's protests that Bill and Don should remain in Vegas and enjoy themselves, there was no way that was going to happen. The three of them had been friends too long and Bill and Don weren't about to let Jimmy go through this alone.
They were quiet for some time, with a hundred different scenarios and worries running through their minds. As experienced Police Officers, each of them was well aware of how many things could go wrong in a situation like this.
Deakins checked his watch. "Damn! Why haven't I heard from Goren or Schultz yet?" He asked, while flipping open his cell phone and dialing Bobby's number.
7:14 p.m.
Major Case Squad
Detective Morris had just exited Deakins' office. Communication from the bank was lost. Apparently, the battery in the cell phone had gone dead. The telephone at Bobby's desk began ringing as Morris passed by, so he answered.
"Major Case, Detective Morris."
"Morris, its Deakins. Where's Goren?"
"Um, Captain, Goren and Eames just left – they're headin' over to the bank."
"What's happening there, Morris?"
"Last we heard, all's quiet in the bank, sir. We've been monitoring via the cell phone call, but, uh, we think the battery just died out...we just lost the connection...it was on for a few hours."
"Morris, if there's something you're not tellin' me, I wanna' know, now."
"No sir, there's nothing."
"Well, why are Bobby and Alex going there? Schultz isn't gonna' like that."
"I don't know, Captain. All I know is that he got a call from Schultz and they left."
"All right, Morris. Thanks."
Kowalski and Cragen watched as Jimmy ended the call. "Nothing's new," Deakins offered, as he flipped his phone back open and dialed Alex's cell number.
7:16 p.m.
Chase Manhattan Plaza
Bobby and Alex were steps away from the MCU when her phone rang. She grabbed it on the first ring, already fairly certain as to who was on the other end.
"Eames."
"Alex, what's going on?"
"Hey, Captain," she said, with a glance at Bobby; "Bobby and I just arrived at the bank. We're about to meet with Schultz."
"Yeah, well, this is Schultz' party. What are you two doing there?" Deakins was still suspicious that something was going on; that perhaps something had happened and there was bad news that they weren't telling him.
"Sir, it seems Bobby is familiar with one of the gunman. He thinks he can get through to him."
"Put him on."
Alex handed the phone to Bobby, as they were entering the MCU. Schultz, Sanchez and Marino turned, as Bobby and Alex walked in. Bobby was already talking to Deakins.
"I'm Goren's partner, Alexandra Eames," she said, motioning with her thumb back over her shoulder in Bobby's direction. "Goren's on the phone with the Captain now."
The four of them listened, one-sided, to Bobby's conversation.
"...No, not yet. Alex and I just arrived. We're gonna' get up to speed with Lieutenant Schultz and then I'm gonna' make contact."
"Bobby," the Captain said, with a lump forming in this throat. It was all he could get out, but Bobby understood, because no other words were necessary.
"Captain, I'm gonna' get him to talk to me and I'm gonna' get her outta' there – – I give you my word."
"Make sure you keep me informed."
"I will."
"...and Bobby... be careful."
Bobby closed the phone, ending the call.
7:20
Continental Flight #1699
Don and Bill looked at Jimmy, waiting to hear an update. Deakins turned to them, "There's nothing new on the inside. Goren and Eames just arrived at the S.W.A.T. MCU. Goren's gonna' try to get the guy to talk."
"It'll be all right, Jimmy," Bill said, trying to reassure his friend.
Deakins settled back in his seat. He hated the helpless feeling, but resigned himself to the fact that there was nothing he could do from a thousand miles away and 30,000 feet up in the air. Without even consciously noticing it, Bobby's words had crept back into his mind. "I'm gonna' get her outta' there...I give you my word." They resonated over and over again. Deakins knew there was no guaranty. Nobody could keep a promise like that in a situation as dangerously volatile as this. But, somehow, he found comfort and optimistic hope in Bobby's words. Deakins knew that if he could count on anyone to keep his word and get a job done, it was his pain-in-the-ass, but favorite Detective, Bobby Goren.
7:30
MCU - Outside the Chase Manhattan Bank
After a short briefing, Schultz picked up the mic and turned to Bobby, saying, "Let's give it another try." Bobby nodded the 'go ahead.'
Schultz pressed the button on the mic and began speaking. "This is Lieutenant Schultz of the New York City Police Department. We want to talk to you. Please - pick up the phone and let's see what we can work out here."
Marino dialed the bank and the phone rang, once again without answer. Schultz shook his head negatively.
Bobby nodded at the Lieutenant and reached for the mic. Alex watched with anticipation, wondering what Bobby was going to say. Bobby pressed the button and began:
"Benny!"
(Inside, the gunman's head snapped around, his full attention now turned to the front of the bank. The cops knew his name).
Bobby continued, in a mocking tone. "Benjamin 'Benny' Vasquez. Looks like your career's moved in a different direction, Benny. Well, maybe that's a good thing. If I remember correctly, Benny, the drug thing didn't turn out so good for ya'."
(Inside, Benny was growing more agitated with every word. He thought he recognized the voice talking to him now, but it was too hard to really distinguish it over the loudspeaker. He thought to himself, "Any cop could be reading from a rap sheet – playing games – trying to get inside my head.")
"C'mon, Benny. Pick up the phone. I thought you'd be happy to talk to an old friend." He was toying with Vasquez – giving him food for thought.
Alex, Schultz and his crew watched Bobby. He was enjoying this. But only Alex knew Bobby well enough to know how much. Only she knew his interrogation style and negotiating technique – well enough to know that he had already begun the game –– psychological or physical, Bobby always won –– and it was only a matter of time before he would move in for the capture, if not the kill.
Schultz nodded towards Marino to dial the bank again. The phone began ringing. Still no answer. Bobby looked towards Marino and instructed him, "Let it keep ringing."
Bobby kept talking. "Well, okay Benny – if that's how you wanna' be..."
(Inside, Benny was pacing. He was sure of the voice now – the tone – the cockiness. It had to be him. The hostages watched in ever-growing fear. They could actually see the rage growing in their captor and the shrill, incessant ringing of the phone was grating on all their nerves).
"...hey, Benny," Bobby's booming voice continued, with a chuckle, "I bet if I call your little sister, she'll pick up the phone for me...I bet she still wants me," he laughed sarcastically, "even after all these years..."
Alex shot him a glance. She was quickly putting together the missing pieces of Bobby's version of the story that he gave her on the drive over.
(Inside, the hostages shrunk down in startled fear, as the gunman stormed over the to telephone, screaming expletives).
7:45 p.m
Inside the Chase Manhattan Bank
Vasquez was furious. He grabbed the receiver and screamed into the phone, "Goren! You bastard! You BASTARD!
7:45 p.m.
MCU outside the Chase Manhattan Bank
Marino jerked the phone away from his ear. He held the receiver up, pointed at Bobby and smiled, "It's for you."
Alex and Bobby exchanged a glance. She checked her watch and thought to herself, with a smirk, "...ha, S.W.A.T. couldn't get him to pick up the phone in four and a half hours...Bobby, five minutes." She somehow knew that Lt. Schultz wouldn't be amused.
END Chapt. 5