Chapter 7

Helloo, here's another chapter. Thanks for the reviews. Hi Stephany.

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Desperate times breed desperate measures.

...

"They've just made contact."

"With who?"

"Newark PD. A Detective Hastings just reported the location of the three fugitives. Should we proceed? There will be uniformed cops all over the place."

"No mistakes this time. Take them all out."

"Th...the cops?"

"The targets, you dimwit?!"

"Th...uh..."

"What?!"

He was afraid to ask another stupid question but, "Uh...the three fugitives you mean? I mean...the ...uh witness and the two cops?"

"For goodness sake! How did you even make it into this team?"

"I...I just wanted to make sure Sir, I thought you wanted the witness alive."

"Well now I just want her dead. All of them. Get it done!"

"Got it Sir."

And the line went dead.

….

Danny made his way out of the alleys as discreetly as he could, with his hoody on he could be easily mistaken for any of the druggies who were loitering the streets. A few blocks away a car slowed next to him, a black sedan. Danny froze. Great! looked like they had him, but they would have to torture him to death to make him tell where Steve and Laura were. He felt a cold rush of fear run down his spine, but he wasn't going down without a fight!

The window rolled down and a head stuck out of the window as the car slowed to match his still steady pace. Danny wasn't going to run. Not just yet. But he kept walking.

"Williams?"

Danny didn't register his name being called, nerves making him deaf to anything else but his pounding heart.

"Hey, Williams!" It was more insistent. Danny recognized the voice. He stopped, then released the breath he wasn't aware he was holding.

"Damn it, Hastings!"

"You scare too damn easy Williams."

"I was…rationally concerned. Perilous times these."

"Right. Get in buddy. Great to see you man."

"You've no idea." Danny said with a sigh of relief. "I'm in a bit of a fix man. Thanks for coming to my aid." Danny said, once he had settled into the passenger seat.

"Anytime D. How's Gracie and Charlie?"

"Oh, Grace and Charlie are growing up so well. I'm very proud of them." Danny said.

"And Rachel? You two ready to tie the knot once again?"

Danny scoffed, "Don't know if I'm ready to do that again, but Rachel and I have been good. I just don't wanna rush into it, you know."

"Once bitten twice shy."

"Something like that. How about you? How's your family?"

"Steph and the kids are alright. When I got your call though, I had to rush them to New York. Steph's sister lives there. It's not a long drive, it's been an hour already, I'm sure they are already there. Don't want them getting caught up in any of this."

"That was smart. You're doing a great deal for me, and it might cost you in huge ways. You gotta know that."

"I know. Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

"Yeah." Danny said thoughtfully.

"Well, Let's go get your people."

"The prisoner is not my people." Danny said. Strangely though, it felt like she was. Maybe it was the little pact they had formed in saving Steve, or rather, trying to save Steve. It was still a gamble whether Steve was going to be saved or not.

…..

The Newark P.D surrounded the place, going into the alleys alleys, guns ready. It would take them at least thirty minutes to search all the possible hiding places in that block buildings and alleys. They would also have to go knock on the doors to see if they were being harbored in there somewhere. Only one was supposed to be a fugitive, the other two were renowned cops. It was a wonder why they were hiding. The previous scene with the two dead Marshalls indicated that this was more of a rescue mission. God only knew what the mass murderer had done to two good cops, being helped by whoever took out the Marshalls. The cops could be bleeding out in one of these dirty alleys, the prisoner long gone by now. This whole thing was full of mystery.

"Clear!"

"Clear!"

The yelling persisted as the search went on.

A sniper trained his gun at the set of buildings, he had a view of all the possible exits from his vintage point. He would take them all out clean as soon as they reared their heads.

…..

Danny made it back to their hiding place. Dr Mallory was bent over Steve holding a cloth to his forehead. She looked up sharply as he entered.

"How's he doing?" Danny asked.

"No change. His fever is still too high. Any luck on your end?" She asked anxiously.

"We gotta go. I've found us a car. I'm gonna need you to help me with Steve."

"His lower limbs have gone numb from the paralysis. It's going to be entirely on us to get him out of here."

"Sure, we'll drag him out of here if we have to. Come on, grab your doctor stuff and let's get going." Danny said, hefting Steve's upper body up, taking his weight on one shoulder while Laura took the other side. Together they staggered under Steve's weight, dragging him out.

Hastings opened the passenger door then rushed to relieve Laura, taking Steve's other side to help put him in the car. Laura rushed to the other passenger side. Adjusting Steve's head on her lap, she placed the wet t-shirt on his forehead again and readjusted the I.V, the heat from the AC making her feel warm. She felt safe for the first time in a long time.

Danny got into the front seat with his friend, gun ready, checking outside and behind them. There didn't seem to be anyone of suspicion following them as they drove off.

"We're good?" Danny asked his friend.

"We're good. As per your instruction on the phone, I directed Newark PD to the opposite end of the other block of alleys. It will take them a while to search that maze. Your CIA douche-bags should be there too if they picked up on my call to NPD. But we gotta go now. I've got just the place for you guys to lay low." Hastings said.

"Thanks man." Danny said with a grateful look.

He glanced at the back of the seat at Steve, who was still delirious on Laura's lap. She looked calm but anxious. The way she was taking care of Steve made Danny's decision less difficult. He had to trust that she would do her best to keep him alive. She would not abandon him. She had had a chance to do so but had come back anyway. He was trying to convince himself but his anxiety about this decision was not easing. He had no reason to trust her, he didn't know what her angle was, if she was playing an angle or not. This was a leap of faith, pure and simple.

"I'm gonna need you to drop me off somewhere though, I can't go with you guys." Danny said.

Laura looked up from Steve in panic but didn't say anything.

"What are you thinking?" Hastings asked.

"I doubt the CIA are going to buy our rouse for long. They have to follow someone, and it's gotta be me. At least that way, you guys can make it out safely. I know where you cabin is, Jim. I'll make my way there as soon as I know it's safe." Danny said.

"Oh, so you're bait?" Hastings asked.

"Somebody's gotta be." Danny said. Danny turned again in his seat, looked at Steve for a moment and sighed in despair. He turned his eyes on the doctor. Instead of tying to scare her into taking care of Steve, which she was already doing, he decided to appeal to the conscious he had thus far glimpsed.

He stretched his hand and touched her arm, the one that was holding Steve. That made her look into his eyes with surprise. Danny let his eyes plead for him and hoped she had some more conscience in reserve to care.

"Please, take care of him." He pleaded.

She swallowed nervously. "I'll do my best."

Danny looked into her eyes and believed her. He just hoped the conscience of a convicted killer would last until he came back.

Danny was dropped off on the roadside and took off in the opposite direction at a run. He was now out of cell jamming range so he could use his cell now. He dialed a number on his phone knowing very well it would be traced the moment it was answered. Let them come and get him!

….

In a certain office, a technician raised his head with barely contained excitement and relief.

"We've got another signal."

…