2 Days Later
"Agent Ross give me an update on your client."
"He's still a bit worried especially after our encounter with the unidentified gunmen on Saturday but other than that everything's good. We got him settled in at his new place.. We'll be on our way soon. We have another win Sir."
"We do but are you 100 percent sure you didn't have a tail on your way there?"
"Yes Sir. My team was on high alert."
"Okay. We got the facial recognition results of the two men you left in the dustbins. We've also managed to track down the location of the last number that was dialled on the phone we found on the one."
"I'll get on it as soon as I'm back."
"I'll forward everything to you in a minute."
"Okay Sir."
"Good job Agent Ross." Fitz said and hung up.
He reclined back in his home office chair and focused on his laptop.
Before his phone call with Agent Ross he was catching up on the latest news.
Now scrolling through the business and finance section he spotted a familiar face on the company staff picture tagged to an article.
The face of the guy he left unconscious on the concrete ground last night.
Clicking on the article with the heading: Investment Bank, JSHS, Suspected of Insider Trading And Other Misdeeds - Company Under Investigation.
"Interesting.." Fitz murmured and continued to read the article.
The article states that the company is denying all allegations and wants the source, who made these claims, to be revealed.
Fitz went to the company's website and scanned through their management team.
"Chad Jones, VP." He read out loud.
Fitz also learned that Chad is the son of the Chairman, Walter Jones.
"Daddy's boy." He scoffed.
After losing interest in Chad and his annoying gelled back hair, Fitz got up and headed upstairs to take a shower.
He's been up since 4am and decided to bury himself in some extra work since he couldn't sleep.
Fitz showered, got dressed and jumped into his car to head over to his mother's townhouse in Greenwich Village.
On his way there he got caught in traffic. Apparently there was a huge accident up ahead just 15 minutes ago.
Fitz saw people getting out of their cars to get a peek of what was going on.
He saw the police patrolling the area down the road. There were also two ambulances.
Fitz soon heard the sound of a chopper circulating the area.
His interest was getting the better of him.
So, Fitz pulled over at ther curb, turned off his ignition and got out of his car.
He walked down the road and could see the shock and panic on some of the faces.
He heard whispers of different versions about what happened.
Fitz closed in on the crowd near the barricade tape.
"Sorry, what happened here?" He asked an elderly looking man.
"Oh son it was terrible. A black SUV came out of nowhere and drove straight into the car you see over there."
The car, it looked to be an Audi, was in bad shape. Like really bad.
He stretched his neck to look over the crowd and could see the emergency service working on getting the driver of the vehicle out.
"Did you witness the accident?" He asked the man.
"My daughter saw it and started screaming. She's there now with the police giving her statement. She's so traumatised."
"So where's the SUV?" Fitz looked around.
"Drove off at a frantic speed... that part I saw."
"So it was a hit-and-run ?"
"Looks like it."
The emergency service was now using their equipment to cut the driver out.
Fitz kept his gaze on the rescue mission playing out.
A silence fell over the crowd as they saw the driver finally being pulled out of the wrecked vehicle.
It was a woman. Small in posture. She was limp due to her unconscious state.
A piercing scream echoed through the silence.
"Nooo!! Please no no no."
Then an officer's voice.
"Miss please remain calm, we can't allow anyone past this barricade."
"That's my sister! You have to let me through, that's my sister!!"
The woman was in a state. Crying, panicking, screaming.
Fitz's gaze shifted between the young lady and the driver of the vehicle who was now being put in the ambulance.
"Miss what's your name?"
"Talia! Talia Pope!! That's my sister Olivia!! Please let me see her oh my god please!! Why don't you believe me!?"
Fitz heard 'Pope' and 'Olivia' and his head snapped in the direction of the young lady who's still uncontrollably sobbing.
"Olivia.." Fitz said in a whisper to himself.
He was trying to process that the woman they had to cut out of that vehicle was actually her. The beautiful, hard ass, rude lawyer woman.
"Miss they're already getting ready to transport her to the hospital. If you are actually related to her please just wait here, I'll get someone over to talk to you about what happened."
"Of course we are related why the hell would I-- Ugh!!"
Fitz saw the officer walk over to the men with badges and came back with what looked like a detective.
Without thinking he pushed his way through the crowd of people to get closer to the young woman. He wanted to hear what the detective had to say.
Fitz didn't know why he felt like he needed to jump in and help but he did. He wanted to help this woman, he wanted to help Olivia.. He wanted to know why someone would plan a hit-and-run on her.
He was now just a few feet away as he listened intently to their conversation.
"Miss what is your relation to the victim?"
"I'm.. I'm her younger sister. My name's Talia Pope."
"Can I please see your ID?"
"Yes. Here, see? Is it bad? Will she.. Will she make it??"
"Okay miss, I can't tell you much right now. All we know is that it was definitely a hit-and-run and I'm not a medical expert so I can't give you any information regarding the state of your sister.. But give me your contact details and I'll get back to you once we get some clarity about what happened and in the meantime I suggest you go over to the hospital where you'll get an update on the condition of your sister. "
"Okay."
Fitz saw the ambulance speeding off then turned to look back at the young woman who stood there frozen as she too watched on as the ambulance drove off with sirens crying.
He placed his hands in his pockets and closed the distance between them.
"Excuse me?"
Talia sniffled back her tears. "What?"
"I couldn't help but overhear that you're the sister of the victim.."
"Yes I am. I have to get to the hospital, my sister needs me. I have to call my parents, call Chad, I--"
"Calm down..breath. ." Fitz cut her off.
"Who are you?"
"Fitz. I uhh I'm a friend of your sister's." He lied.
"I'm Talia but please excuse me I've got to catch a cab." She pushed past him.
"No. I'll get you to the hospital."
"Look, Fitz is it? I don't even know you." Talia wiped the tears from her face.
"Olivia knows me, that's good enough isn't it?"
She thought about it for a minute.
"Okay but please hurry."
"Of course. Follow me."
Fitz lead her to his car down the road.
They got in and he rushed them to the hospital.
Talia used the time to phone everyone from family to friends.
"Why did this had to happen to her. Liv didn't deserve this. A hit-and-run!? That doesn't even make sense!" Talia started to sob all over again.
Fitz didn't know what to say exactly, his mind was working overtime thinking about a possible reason behind this.
"What cases was she working on at the moment?" Fitz asked quietly.
"What?"
"Do you know what cases your sister was working on recently?"
"...No I don't. She um, she doesn't discuss her work with anyone."
Not helpful, Fitz needed information.
"Okay. How did you hear about the accident?"
"A college friend of mine was at the scene, she posted pictures in our group chat and I recognised Liv's car, the number plate confirmed it for me." She said then added. "I have a thing for remembering number plates."
"Where were you when you saw the pictures?"
"Central park, jogging."
"Okay. So uh, did you get in touch with Chad?"
Fitz tried to keep her talking in order to stop the crying.
"Yes he's on his way. Why haven't I seen you around? I know all of Liv's friends because she doesn't have a lot."
"Our friendship is still new. I mean I just met Chad two days ago so.."
"She introduced you to him?"
"Yes..why?" He asked with furrowed eyebrows.
"He's an ass." Talia said not giving a damn.
"Oh yeah, I've noticed."
Talia gets angsty again as they pull up at the hospital.
"Go ahead." He told her.
"Thank you but are you not coming?"
"I'll just be in the way. Your family needs to be alone right now to process this."
"Well thanks again."
Talia jumped out of the car and ran up to the entrance.
Fitz took out his phone and made a call.
"Agent Mills?"
"Sir?"
"I need you to look into someone for me."
"Okay Sir."
"Chad Jones. He's an investment banker."
"On it Sir."
"Agent Mills I need you to dig deep."
"And by that you mean hack into everything, I got it Sir."
"Thank you Agent Mills."
Fitz refused to believe that Olivia could've made enemies of such kind that was willing to take her out.
But then again..
He remembered the back and forth at lunch the other day between her and the other lawyers.
Something about a wealthy, arrogant businessman and possible corrupt city council members.
Shit.
He made another call.
"Agent Brooks, I need you to gather some information and get it to me ASAP."
He went on and instructed one of his best female agents to find a connection between Brian Manning and members of the City Council for starters. If there was a connection then Olivia's suspicions would've been correct.
Maybe she confronted them?
Fitz took a deep breath and exhaled, dropping his head on the steering wheel.
"Why are you doing this Fitz?" He asked himself.
In the exact moment that he lifted his head up, he saw Chad exiting the back of a vehicle.
Fitz took a picture of the licence plate.
Chad was staring at the hospital doors, shifting his weight from one foot to the other before eventually entering the hospital.
After half an hour of just sitting there, for reasons he have yet to figure out, Fitz felt his phone vibrating.
"Grant." He answered.
"Uh Sir I think I've found something."
"Shit that was quick Agent Mills."
"I've got contacts everywhere remember? Anyway so the target is involved in some shady business, something about money. But what I have for you is that he have been receiving several threatening emails and texts."
"What's the threats about?"
"It doesn't state anything specific. Basically it's just that he'll regret it if they don't get their money soon."
"Fuck. Uh, Agent Mills when was the last threat received?"
"This morning. I'm still busy, I'll let you know as soon as I find something that sticks out Sir."
"Great."
Fitz wanted to strangle that asshole. He was really just a selfish piece of shit for putting the people around him in danger like that.
So even if there was a connection between Brian Manning and the City Council, this accident had nothing to with Olivia's case involving them. That was clear now.
A whole hour later Chad exited the hospital, getting in his awaiting car and Fitz followed them.
Again he questioned himself. He really wasn't thinking clearly, why is he making this a priority... Why is he maker her a priority.
His phone again vibrated.
"Agent Mills I'm assuming you got something?"
"He's making a phone call right now Sir, I'm intercepting it."
The two stayed quiet as they listened to the phone call between Chad and a mystery man.
"You went after my fiancée!? I told you I'd have the money. It's just a little difficult since I need the Chairman's signature on a few of the documents."
"He's your father, make it happen."
"Please just don't-- I just came from the hospital and-- You've made your point okay!!"
"No we just got your attention. Our point will be made if we don't get our money by tomorrow evening. How would you like attend a funeral instead of a wedding?"
"No please don't she's not part of this!"
Fitz was surprised. Chad seemed to actually care about Olivia. .
"Get us the money."
The call ended.
"Sir do you know this Chad Jones? I mean he's not a client otherwise he wouldn't be running around like a headless chicken right now."
"I don't exactly know him and no he's not a client you're right but his fiancée just became our client. It sounds like they'll be coming back for her. They are going to finish the job if they don't get what they want from him."
"Should I get agents out to the hospital to guard the woman's room?"
"I don't think the hospital will allow it."
"Leave that to me."
"I've been leaving so many things to you already Agent Mills." Fitz joked and earned a good laugh in return.
"I love my job and you're an awesome boss so it's all good."
"Okay then, I've got eyes on Chad now so I gotta go. Thanks for your speedy work Agent."
They ended their call as Fitz kept trailing unnoticed behind Chad's vehicle.
Another 15 minutes later the car drove into the parking area of JSHS.
Fitz gave up on him and drove past the building.
He almost forgot that he was on his way to his mother's before all of this happened. He'll just have to visit her some other time because right now he had to officially put Olivia on their client list and into their systems.
xxx
"Sir we have two agents guarding Miss Pope's hospital room, agents outside of the hospital for backup, an agent surveilling her apartment in York Avenue and we have it bugged, we're also monitoring her fiancé, Chad."
"Good. I'll try and find out what Chad has gotten himself into and why it's playing out like this."
Fitz knew it could be something relating to that article he read previously about the misdeeds of their company. If not, he'll just have to dig deeper.
He spend all day reading through articles about JSHS.
The company was definitely under investigation for corruption and fraud.
Somewhere someone must've had dirt on Chad hence the blackmailing.
He gathered a list of every member of the company and their investors. Who could it be?
A knock on his door got Fitz's attention.
"Come in."
"Sir..."
"Agent Mills."
"We've got eyes on Chad Jones in the apartment he shares with Miss Pope and he just got cornered by someone.."
"Well are you going to tell me who it was?"
"It's an FBI agent Sir."
"What!?"
"They have a deal. Make the investigation go south and get paid but now this guy is eager for his money."
"Do we have a name?"
"Yes, Agent Drew Martin."
"I bet this isn't the first time he's striking one of these deals, he must make a fortune off these companies."
"I suspect he specifically approached Chad because he knew that he'd do anything to protect his father and their company."
"Yeah... Okay Agent Mills we can continue with this tomorrow, I'm sure the surveillance team will let us now if anything interesting happens."
Agent Mills nodded and left.
Fitz went home to his penthouse in Park Avenue and took a long, relaxing shower.
He needed time to think. This day has been..eventful to say the least.
After his shower he poured himself a drink, got his laptop and reclined on the sofa.
"Let's see who you are Olivia Pope." Fitz murmured and started searching her online.
Olivia Carolyn Pope. She's a 28 year old Junior Partner at Novak Beene and Associates. She's labelled as one of the best at her age, a force to be reckoned with.
There were also articles of her engagement to Chad.
Reading one of the articles, he learned that they've been together for three years.
Fitz later found himself staring at a picture of her.
He gulped down the last of his scotch and abruptly closed his laptop tossing it to the side.
Focus. She's a client. Her life is at stake.
He walked into his kitchen and started making a nice dinner for himself.
The following morning at 9 Fitz was on his way to the hospital.
He was so caught up in nailing the people behind the accident that he forgot to think about Olivia's health.
Was she even going to make it?
Clear images of her unconscious body being pulled out of the vehicle flashed before his eyes.
Fitz got himself together and made his way inside the hospital.
He stood there, looking around, then he spotted Talia making her way to the elevator.
Fitz jogged over to catch up before the elevator closes. "Talia. Hey."
"Fitz! Hi." She gave him a friendly smile.
"How's your sister?" He asked as the elevator went up.
"She hasn't woken up yet but the doctors says she's showing signs of improvement."
"Have you seen her yet?"
"Yeah.. A few broken ribs, cuts and bruises all over, swollen face and her jaw was also dislocated but she's still there, I can still see my sister underneath all of that."
The elevator stops and they get out. Fitz keeps up with Talia as she makes her way to Olivia's room.
"How's your parents holding up?"
"It's hard for them as you can imagine. That fiancé of hers has only been here once and he sent bodyguards to watch over her instead."
"Bodyguards.. How do know he sent them? I mean why would he do that?"
"Who else would've done it? I've tried to ask them but they just stare at me like robots."
They approached the room as Fitz saw his two agents standing guard.
"Would you like to come in? It's just me here, I sent my parents home to get some rest and to freshen up. They'll be here later."
"Okay."
What are you doing Fitzgerald! He mentally scolded himself.
The agents stop them. "Who is this man?"
"Right so now you can talk. He's a friend of my sister." Talia said annoyed at the bodyguards.
"Name?"
"Fitz. Fitzgerald Grant." He says loud enough.
"Miss, his name isn't on the list."
"I must've forgotten to write his name down. Look it's fine, I know him."
"We can't take any chances Miss."
"Would you like to see his ID? Passport? Gym membership??"
Fitz stifled back a laugh. Just like her sister, he thought.
He handed over his ID, they do a body search and he signed their clipboard to gain entrance to the room.
Talia went ahead and Fitz nodded at his agents before entering Olivia's room.
Fitz's heart broke when he saw her. She looked so small and helpless...lifeless.
Talia noticed the sad look on his face. She still didn't really know Fitz but he seemed like a geniune guy. He cared.
"So how did you become friends with Olivia? She asks sitting down on the chair next to Olivia's bed.
"Oh um, we uh.. We met at my sisters restaurant in SoHo."
"Food and Chill? Oh my gosh she loves that place even though it's a thirty minute drive."
"Yeah that's the one. So you're still in college?" He changed the topic.
"Yes, I study art and I love it."
"You also love your sister very much."
"I do. She's my best friend. The best role model a girl can have."
"Wow.."
"Yeah.. It sucks seeing her like this though."
A silence fell over them.
"I uh, I should probably get going. Thank you for letting me see her. I really hope she recovers soon."
"Hey why don't you give me your number then I can let you know when she wakes up."
"Are you sure?"
"Sure."
"Okay."
He punched his digits in on her phone. "There."
"Cool. I saw the way you looked at her earlier, don't worry..she'll wake up soon. My presence will start to annoy her so much, she won't have a choice but to wake up and chase me away." Talia laughed.
"Ha! Funny.. I hope you're right though. She should get better, she didn't deserve this."
"Prayers and positive thinking is all we have."
"Thanks again Talia, see you."
"No problem. Bye Fitz."
He left the room and closed the door.
"They are under the impression that you are Chad's guys, if he shows up here you stick to our plan." Fitz spoke to the two agents.
"Yes Sir."
"Great, can I have my ID back now?" He chuckled.
"Here you go Sir."
"Keep me updated."
Fitz then left the hospital and drove to the one place where he'd find a distraction.
Food and Chill.
"Hey sis." He sighed as Julia came up to him at the bar.
"How long have you been sitting here?"
"Not too long. Got here ten minutes ago."
"Okayy.. and why are you drinking at this time of day?"
"Because I want to?"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing.." He takes a swig of his drink.
"You don't normally come in here at 11 in the morning to have a drink."
"So? I felt like having a drink and this is my favourite place."
"Bullshit."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Somethings up, just tell me. Is it your job? Did something go wrong?"
"Jules.. c'mon, let me enjoy my drink."
"Fitz don't do that. Don't shut down."
"You know there's certain things about my job that I can not under any circumstances discuss with you."
"Come to my office, there's free alcohol." Julia said and walked away.
Fitz rested his head on the counter and groaned.
Eventually he decides to take her up on her offer.
"Sit down." Julia tells him as he saunters into her office.
"Where's Ryan?" He asked sitting down.
"In the kitchen, we have a 50th birthday dinner later."
Julia leans against the edge of her desk and looks down at her brother.
"Talk to me. It doesn't have to be about what's bothering you, just talk..about anything."
"Where's the free alcohol?" He smirked.
"I'm pouring you one drink, that's it."
"Your deal sucks. I should've paid for my alcohol instead."
"Shut up. Here, enjoy." She places the glass down in front of him.
"So did you hear about that brutal accident yesterday?"
"Om my god yess. I saw it on the news last night."
"You didn't read any newspaper this morning have you?"
"...No."
"The driver of the vehicle was Olivia Pope. The lawyer that comes here so often."
"What!?! Oh my word!!"
Her name actually was revealed in the morning paper, along with pictures of the accident.
"Yeah.."
"Is she--"
"No she's not. She's in the hospital."
"I can't believe it was her. That car looked terrible."
"I was at the scene.. On my way to mom's yesterday morning I got caught in traffic which was due to the accident. I went to have a look. They had to cut her out of the vehicle. She was unconscious."
Julia had tears in her eyes. Her face wearing a shocked expression.
Ryan entered the office and looked confused at his brother and sister.
"What's going on? Did something happen to mom? Why is Julia on the verge of tears?"
"Dude relax, nothing happened to mom. I just told Jules about the accident yesterday."
"Oh yeah I saw it in the paper earlier. Olivia Pope. Wow it's sad. I remember her, she's a nice girl. They say it was a hit-and-run."
"This is getting worse and worse what the hell!? Why would someone want to do that to her?" Julia asked.
"Hopefully they find out soon.. Wait, why are you drinking?"
"Our sister brought me in here for a drink."
"Do you want me to tell him the real reason?" Julia threatened him.
"And what is the real reason sis?" Fitz challenged her.
When she didn't answer he grinned at her.
"Ryan and I always share shit with you but you never do the same with us."
"Jules I share things with you though don't lie."
"Stupid things. Not the stuff that actually matters, like now when you're clearly going through something but you're keeping it all cropped up."
"Do I need to remind you again how I can't share every work related thing with you?"
"No you don't but if it makes you walk around here with a long face, downing alcohol in the morning, then maybe you could at least try to open up?"
"Yeah man she's right." Ryan chimed in.
"We took on a new client and it's a bit messy. That's all."
"Okay?"
"What? You asked and that's all there is to it." Fitz said.
"Okay then."
"I think I'm gonna go now, you guys should get back to work."
"Fitzzz..."
"Julia I'm okay, really. I'm gonna go to the office, no more drinking."
"Promise?"
Fitz got up and hugged his sister. "Promise."
"Okay, you should swing by the house whenever you have time, Jaden misses his uncle."
"Ryan did you hear that? Jaden misses me. And the favourite uncle award goes toooo.."
"Fuck off, go get outta here."
The three of them share a laugh and Fitz got on his way.
"There's more to this isn't there?" Ryan asked his sister once Fitz left.
"Yeah, he's always so confident when it comes to their clients protection.. This might not even be work related."
"Maybe we should put mom on him.."
Julia chuckled. "You know he's gonna kill us if he ever finds out that we did that right?"
"I'll definitely be dead but he won't touch a hair on your head." Ryan laughed.