The Next Move
Quick note: This will be a set of interludes.
It was the next day at the police station. The CSU had examined some of the blood samples that were taken from the crime scene at the docks. Many of the bodies that were found inside the boat were examined, but what caught the attention of the Grant City Police Department were the blood samples inside the storage areas.
Chris and Michelle had searched the area. Although the body of Longshoreman X was found, some other person's blood was found just a few feet away from the assassin's body. Longshoreman X was found lying in a pool of his own blood, but a trail of blood was seen on the icy ground and went towards the doorway.
Inside his office, Hennessey was on the phone with someone. He looked to be rather agitated about what was going on.
"Listen, Palmer, I'm not sure what to do about all of this. As an officer of the law, it is my duty to make sure that you give me some more than all of this. Sanderville may have hired some men to get Slate's head, but how is this any of my problem?"
"I'm just telling you what I know," Palmer said on the phone. "The Sandman's been working with Fahook and trying to work a deal. After Slate killed Silt, the Sandman just wants Slate's head on a fucking platter. I already gave you info on Sanderville working with Fahook and how something was going down last night."
"From what I have heard, something different went down," Hennessey said. "It appears that shit hit the fan last night over at Dock 765. First some bodies were found on a boat on the shore. Then we had some big fuck killed in the freezing area. Whoever did this is fucking with the operation a bit."
"Did you say a boat?" Palmer said. "Ah shit, I just remembered that Dutch and I were supposed to meet with Fahook and some others about some hardware he was providing us. Some Russian boat captain was bringing in some guns for our organization, as well as Fahook's organization."
"What's been going on with you, Palms?" Hennessey said. "Was something just more important than doing business, maybe even steps away from finally putting away the old man for the rest of his life? The guy doesn't have that much longer from what I hear, does he?"
"Hey, I fucked up, okay?" Palmer said. "We all fuck up sometimes, don't we? I had some other shit on my plate. Sanderville wants me and Dutch to find Slate and Adams, and kill those two. He's still pissed about Marvin's death and he's afraid that those two will fuck with his business some more. I had some other matters, like gaining intel on who killed Silt."
"You sure you weren't out getting your dick wet?" Hennessey said. "Don't answer, I'm just fucking with you. I already have some guys checking out the scene at the docks. I got a lot of shit on my plate. If the Sandman has all this stuff on his plate, whether it's the snitch hunt, the business deal with Fahook, or even the stuff with Slate, then you should know what we have our own shit to worry about. Just keep your eyes open, okay?"
Palmer sighed. "All right, I'll keep my eyes open."
"That's a good boy, I'll be in touch."
Hennessey hung up the phone when suddenly he heard a knock on the door. Through the window there stood Inness. Hennessey signaled for him to come in.
"What's going on, Eddie?" Hennessey said.
"Well, Dick, I finally received the reports from the CSU," Inness said as he stood before his superior. "There have been some reports about the blood from the crime scene. You're not going to believe whose blood was found at the docks."
"Whose blood was it?" Hennessey said.
"The blood matched with Jack Slate," Inness said.
Hennessey was taken aback by what he was told. He knew that Jack Slate had broken out of prison. Hell, he escaped the electric chair. He knew that Jack was at large, but to what extent was the question. After receiving the reports about the shootout at the golf course and the carnage that occurred at the docks, there shouldn't be much of a surprise that Jack had something to do with it.
"So it seems that Slate is up to his old tricks, huh?" Hennessey said as he reclined on his chair. "We already have a lot of things going on, Eddie. First my operation with Sanderville, as well as some murders going down at the docks. Now it's said that Slate is involved? This is becoming bigger than we imagined."
"Do you think that Jack had anything to do with the massacre on the boat, or the shootout at Sawyer Greens?"
"I couldn't tell you about the stuff at the golf course, but because the blood matched with Slate's at the docks, I could only guess that he is on a rampage. Someone at the docks called us in last night and heard gunshots on the boat, and also the storage areas."
"What makes you so sure that it was Slate who did it?" Inness said.
"Jack Slate is a convicted murderer," Hennessey said. "The man had his own methods of handling crimes. He went on a rampage to go after the city's beloved philanthropist and he was found at the scene of the crime. If we bring him in, then maybe we won't have to worry about any more murders happening, won't we?"
Inness looked at Hennessey with so much confusion. Jack worked in Inness's unit, and although he knew that Jack was rough around the edges, he didn't kill criminals unless it was necessary. It only seemed that Hennessey said all these things because he had it in for Jack while he was still a cop. Even when Jack's father was still a cop, Hennessey had it in for Frank as well.
"So what should we do?" Inness said.
"We need to ramp up our original plan some more," Hennessey said. "I will round up more of my GAC squad and have them search for Slate. He couldn't have it made it very far."
Inness nodded his head, even though he didn't agree with Hennessey's methods at this moment.
Chris sat at his desk and looked for anything on "Eve Adams." He had a hard time looking for some information on this person. He had someone search for the number that Jack had provided to try to trace it. Unfortunately, there was no luck. It would appear that Eve had something done for her phone lines so that she could avoid being tapped.
"What are you doing?" a female voice was heard as Chris sat there and looked up. Michelle stood there before her partner.
"Oh, nothing, just looking at some files right now," Chris said.
"Right," Michelle said. "Listen, I got word from Inness that the blood we found, it was traced back to Jack."
Chris quickly looked up when he heard that name. "What did you just say?"
"I said that the blood matched Jack's blood at the crime scene last night," Michelle said. "Remember, Hennessey said that we should find Jack and bring him in."
"I didn't forget about that," Chris said and didn't look his partner in the eye when he said that.
"Chris, I know Jack is your friend, but you're an officer of the law," Michelle said. "We should do our jobs here."
"I got my mind on other things here, but I didn't forget about this," Chris said.
"Okay, good," Michelle said. "Inness told us that we should be out there looking for Jack. He could be anywhere. Do you know anybody he could know out there?"
Chris looked up once again. Everything went to a complete stop. There had to be something he had to do. But on the other hand, what Michelle said made him wonder about one person who Jack could have had any contact with after breaking out of jail.
"Good question," Chris said. "I'll get back to you on that."
"Okay, I'll come back in a bit," Michelle said.
Chris sighed in relief. The question on his mind was he going to sell his friend out because it was his duty as a cop, or was he going to find some information to try to help his friend? This whole case left him conflicted.
At Sanderville Heights, Mr. Sanderville sat at his desk as Palmer and Dutch sat in front of him. Sanderville had his face against his palms. Both of his top associates sat there in silence, but Palmer had a feeling of guilt about all of this.
"Is something wrong, Mr. Sandervile?" Palmer said.
Sanderville couldn't say a word. After a few seconds, the silence had broken.
"What happened last night was something that could have been prevented. From what I had heard, you two didn't show up for the fucking meeting with Fahook. Some of the Russians on the boat were shot by Jack fucking Slate. He told me that he took some of those guys out, and the hardware was gone not long after all that shit happened. Someone at the docks heard all the gunshots and called the fucking cops, then Hennessey got on the scene and everything blew to shit."
Dutch spoke, "Um, boss, I didn't forget. I went out to the docks later that…"
"SILENCE!" Sanderville said and slammed his hand against the desk. "I wasn't done talking. Slate was on the fucking radio and told me that he killed that Russian fuck. Now some of Blanjov's men took all of our shit."
Palmer and Dutch looked at each other when they heard that name. They knew about Robert Blanjov, another gangster in Grant City's underworld. At one point Sanderville wanted to work with Blanjov, but he had declined in the opportunity. Nobody knew the reason why. But with Alexei Volkoff having been a former associate of Blanjov's, this likely had nothing to do with hurting Sanderville's operation.
Sanderville said, "Now I don't think Hennessey was tipped off by any son of a bitch working against us. From what I understand, some of the dock workers only heard the gunshots and reported it to them. My main problem is why you weren't there, Palmer?"
Palmer looked up. "What?"
"You knew about the meeting. Yes, I know Fahook had some business to discuss with other clients, but was something more important that you couldn't make the meeting?"
"I was tired and forgot about it," Palmer said. "I've some personal shit on my mind lately."
Dutch looked at him with a smirk of disbelief.
"You're lucky that you're one of my top guys and I like you, Palmer," Sanderville said. "But when you're asked to go to an important meeting, you do it, you understand?"
"Yes, sir," Palmer said.
"That's good, because I would hate to have Vic and Mackey strong-arm your ass," Sanderville said. "Now as for Slate, we're not done with him yet. I'm surprised that he got out of there alive. The contract is still on. Gofer and the rest of Mayhem Inc. are still hunting him down. But if you two, or even Vic and Mackey find that fuck, I want you to bring him to me so I can handle him myself."
Vic Padrone and Mackey Van John were two of Sanderville's top bodyguards and hitmen. Although Palmer and Dutch were no stranger to getting their hands dirty, Vic and Mackey were Sanderville's primary weapons of choice in "taking care of problems," or protecting any clients from anything coming their way.
"We're on it, sir," Dutch said.
Palmer and Dutch got up from their chairs. Palmer didn't say a word because some told him and Dutch something was up.
As the two walked down the hallway, Dutch broke the awkward silence.
"Where the fuck were you last night?"
"What does it matter?" Palmer said.
"Oh, come on, Palms, you expect me to believe you had more important shit to deal with than our business at the docks?" Dutch said.
"I've been trying to track down Slate, among other things."
"The Sandman issued an open contract on Slate. It could have been our move or anyone else's. Shit, Palms, we had to go and talk to Fahook but you didn't fucking show up. So where were you?"
"I was out with a friend," Palmer said. "We went to have a drink together."
"Yeah, right," Dutch sarcastically said. "Let me guess, we're you out getting your dick wet. I bet you went out for some Chinese, huh?"
"Fuck you."
"So what was it?"
"None of your fucking business," Palmer said.
"Whatever it was, you better not fuck up again, because I know some shit about you," Dutch said. "Whether you were out fucking some Chinese broad at Black Orchid or…"
"Don't say it!" Palmer said.
"So I'm right, huh?" Dutch said. "I only told Fahook that you were out sick, but Sanderville figured otherwise. But I have my other ideas about you."
"Okay, I only went to Black Orchid to see about some stuff about Marvin," Palmer said. "That's it. The girl told me that Slate and Adams kidnapped Marvin and some other girl out of there."
"Why didn't you just say that to the Sandman while we were in there?"
"I don't know, okay? All I can say is that I may have fucked up in coming to the meeting, but I didn't fuck up in other shit."
"Whatever, Golden Boy, you keep your mind on the task. Don't think I don't know other shit, either."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, forget about it."
The two continued to walk away. As Dutch got further away, he got out a cellphone and started to make a call. Palmer looked towards him with suspicion. What could this call be about?
Jack lied on the couch at Hildy's apartment. He barely got up not too long before. As he tried to ascend himself, he moved his right shoulder up.
"OW!"
He then moved his left shoulder up.
"OW! DAMN!"
"Jack?" It sounded like Hildy from another room. It didn't take long for Hildy to come into the living room. She was dressed casually in a T-shirt and jeans while Jack lied there in his jeans and white tank-top.
"Jack, are you okay?" Hildy said.
In that moment, Shadow crawled towards the two.
"I'm fine," Jack said. "I'm still aching from last night."
"Good thing I was off today from my other job," Hildy said. "Well, my only job that I have now."
Jack put one hand against the couch to lift himself in a sitting position. The punishment he took the night before was no joke, but it was nothing that would put him on the shelf for weeks.
Hildy looked on as Jack struggled to move. She went in front of him and squatted as she faced Jack dead in the eye. "You're still in pain."
"I've been in worse pain than this and managed to get by. I just remembered something - I forgot to ask you last night about the case that Dad was working on before he died."
"This is not the right time to be asking about that. You need to relax and recover from your pain. You were still asleep when I woke up earlier. I checked on you to see how you were feeling."
"I'm fine," Jack said and as he tried to get up. The more he moved, the more pain ached his back and shoulders. Thankfully he didn't suffer any severe pain in his lower back or his legs or he wouldn't be able to move as decently as he did.
"I still need to look at you some more," Hildy said. "Maybe I will go get you some new clothes. Is that okay?"
Jack took a deep breath and nodded his head.
"I'm gonna go to the store to find some clothes for you to wear," Hildy said. "I won't be gone for that long. And please, for the love of God, stay here."
"I will," Jack said.
Hildy pat him on the shoulders and then went to grab her keys and finally took off.
Jack and Shadow were left at her apartment. As much as Jack wanted to get to the bottom of everything, he was not physically ready to do so. Because he needed to recover, he grabbed the remote control for the TV as Shadow crawled towards him.
Jack looked towards Shadow and said, "Well, boy, it's just me and you right now."
After last night, I couldn't be any luckier to be alive. Eve and Shadow saved my life. Hildy stitched me up and checked on me. I still had work to do, but not in the condition I am currently in. I would hope that the pain would go away sometime soon. I still need to see what Sanderville wanted with me, and who also had my father get killed. Could Sanderville have been the one who had my father killed? There's only one way to find out.
Jack went ahead and turned on the TV. It was in the middle of the day and he put it on a channel where a news program was being shown.
Kip Waterman covered the stories on what happened the night before, whether it was at Sawyer Greens Driving Range, Dock 765, or even the explosion that took place only some blocks away from where Jack was. It was an eventful night, all right.
"Recent reports from the Grant City Police Department have stated that blood was found at the crime scene at Dock 765. Forensics has matched blood found on the scene with Jack Slate, the recent escapee from Iron Point Penitentiary who also managed to escape from his execution…"
A sudden jolt of energy had flowed through Jack's veins the moment he heard his name mentioned. He took a closer look at the footage on the TV. The report had noted about the shootings that took place on the boat. However, it was reported that at this time that it was unknown whether the massacre on the boat was linked to the alleged murder that took place in the freezing area at the docks.
My 15 minutes of fame are far from up. Jack thought.
Author's note: I had gone through rewrites of this because I wanted things to make more sense and avoid plot holes.
I must inform you that the mention of Vic and Mackey may sound like a reference to The Shield, but it's not intended to be that way. They were characters from the comic tie-in, and their full names were mentioned there, too. However, I don't doubt if it was a Shield reference as one, the names are too similar to be a coincidence. Two, The Shield first aired in the spring of 2002 and the comic was likely being done within the timeframe of when it aired until Dead to Rights was released (August of 2002 for the original Xbox; November of 2002 for the PS2 and Gamecube), and the comic was released in October of that same year. I doubt it was a coincidence.
The next one will be some more buildup before more action. Stay tuned.