DISCLAIMER: HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIRGIL - REALLY WISH YOU WERE MINE - SIGH!
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
NOTES:
* Really sorry for another delay, work and life got in the way.
Chapter 45: Tracked.
Shortly after Penelope had planted the tracking device on Emily Sanderson she contacted Scott and informed him of the evidence that had been found, her suspicion that it was faked, and the action she had taken. Agreeing with her assumptions, Scott relayed what had happened, and asked her to return to the hospital. It was now 3pm, and as none of them had wanted Virgil to be on his own they had decided to all gather in his ward room. Thankfully though, just half an hour previously Virgil had fallen into a deep sleep. Due to a combination of the side-effects finally beginning to pass and the pure exhaustion he had been suffering from because of lack of sleep. Examining the 'photographic evidence' that the police had discovered on the Hood's computer systems, John confirmed that it was indeed faked. However, even with John's substantial educational knowledge coming into play, the police had dismissed their concerns about Sanderson being the real culprit, and had insisted they now had the correct woman in custody.
"I can't believe that woman thinks she's gotten away with this!" Scott growled, pacing back and forth. "And setting up Maria, I really don't want her to go down for this… And then there's her brothers, what's going to happen to them?"
"The boys will be okay, I did some digging earlier, and they are currently being looked after by a neighbour," John informed him, "and as for Maria, when Virgil remembers what's happened they will let her go, and then arrest Sanderson."
"What does he remember?" Penny inquired, gently stroking her hand over Virgil's hair as he slept soundly.
"Not much," Jeff responded, "he asked what had happened when he woke up. I initially told him he had a bad reaction to some drugs, and I said I would explain more later. He's not asked since, he's been too sick."
"And what are the chances that he will remember?" Parker questioned.
"The nurse said he should, but to wait until the Rynax is out of his system before asking again," Jeff replied.
"And what if Virgil doesn't remember?" Gordon worriedly enquired.
Jeff sighed. "Then we will deal with that situation when it arises."
"We can't wait until then," Scott cautioned, "she will try and do something, especially if she knows that Virg may remember it was her… She is a threat and will try and find some way to get to him without our knowledge."
"But Scott, we will know if she tries to get close," Alan stated, "thanks to Penny we are tracking her movements."
"Sanderson is resourceful and clever! She won't attack him directly, and will try and find some other way to hurt him, without getting close, so as not to seem like a suspect." Scott paused, pondered what he was about to suggest, and then continued. "I really think that the only way we will stop her hurting Virgil again is to lure her in and catch her red-handed."
Jeff shook his head. "There is no way that woman is coming anywhere near him!"
Scott sighed. "Dad, you know I would normally be the last person to suggest anything like this… But as I've said, that woman is clever, and she will try to kill Virg. We need to make her believe it's safe for her to personally strike, and I really believe catching her in the act is the only way we can make the police believe us."
"Do you all agree with this?" Jeff exhaled when everyone reluctantly nodded. "Mother?"
"Unfortunately, I do believe Scott's right," Ruth answered, "there's no other way son!"
Jeff held his hands up in defeat. "Fine, but whatever the plan is, we need to make sure it's full proof!"
… …
A few hours later:
Emily Sanderson walked into the hospital canteen. She hadn't planned or wanted to come into the hospital so soon after being released, but she had been given no choice after Doctor Sylvia had called her into a quick meeting with himself and the board. In the end, she was glad that she had been granted some excuse for being there. Her father's associate who had wiped the computers, and planted the evidence which had seen her released, had graciously hacked the hospital's medical records for her. Upon reading Virgil's files, she knew that although he hadn't remembered what had happened, the chances that he would do so were highly likely, and because of that she would have to act quickly to make sure that he was disposed of.
Grabbing a coffee from the machine, Emily sat herself down in a nearby chair and contemplated the situation. Her preferred option had always been to make a personal strike against the victim. She knew she could knock out the security cameras, thanks to the technological help she had, and get herself the drugs needed to kill Virgil quickly, silently and without any trace ever being found in his system. However, she also knew that the Tracy family would be with him constantly and would probably not leave his side. So, another plan would have to be formed, one where she could make sure he died without going anywhere near him. As she continued to muse over her thoughts her attention was caught by Scott Tracy entering the canteen. 'Perfect timing,' she smiled, standing up and sauntering over to him.
Scott clasped his hands behind his back, and breathed out slowly, as he watched her confidently strolling towards him. Her being there had not been a surprise. It had in fact been fully intentional. Gerry Sylvia, had been happy to help, believing their assumptions that Sanderson was indeed the guilty party, and had begun the process of luring her into the trap they had eventually decided on, by inviting her to the hospital. Now she had arrived it was up to himself too set the second part of their plan in motion, and he knew it would take all his willpower to do so.
"Hello Scott," Emily beamed at him.
Scott returned her smile. "Hi Emily, how are you?"
"I'm good, thank you for asking," she responded, "especially now I've been released without any charges… I told you that I would prove my innocence!"
Scott dug his nails into the palm of his hands, desperately wanting to scream in her face at the blatant cockiness that was oozing from her. "Yes. Yes, you did," he finally replied with a big smile.
"So, how's your brother?" She questioned. "Last I heard he wasn't doing too well."
"He wasn't, but thankfully his breathing's improved and he's back on the ward now," Scott explained. "Although, the Rynax is still in his system and that's given him some pretty nasty side-effects."
"Oh, that's such a shame!" She replied.
"Yes, it is," Scott stated, biting his lip. "Although, it looks like the effects are starting to disperse, and he's actually managed to go into a deep sleep. The doctors reckon that he will probably start remembering what happened once he wakes… Which will be great, because then the police can confirm that it was Andrews, we will know then that she will not be released, and will not find a way to hurt him again."
"I bet that will be a relief," Emily remarked, "you can all get some rest then."
Scott nodded. "Thankfully, that will be happening tonight."
"Tonight?" She queried.
"Yes," Scott confirmed, "she's definitely locked up tonight. Virg is sleeping, so we can't really do much here, so for the first time in ages we will all be heading back to the hotel for some proper rest."
"Oh, that is good news for you all," Emily commented, before looking at her watch, "sorry to cut this short but I've got a meeting to get to. I'll see you around soon."
Scott breathed out, releasing the tension that had built up inside of him, as he watched her scurry out of the canteen. When she had finally gone, he made his way into a corner of the room, so no one could hear him, and lifted his watch to his mouth. "The trap is set, and Emily Sanderson as taken the bait."
… …
Later that evening:
Everything was set. As Emily did not know about Penelope and Parker's links to the Tracy Family or International Rescue, and she had only met them once outside the station, they had both planted themselves at two different exits, making sure they remained out of sight. So as not to arouse suspicion the others had all decided to leave the ward room at separate intervals. Upon leaving, they would make it look like they were heading out of the hospital, but would instead head to a nearby room that Gerry had provided for them. There they would play her at her own game, and would view her every movement through a live video feed from a hidden camera they had planted in the room.
"She's nearby," John finally informed them all, watching her trackers location on his tablet.
"Good," Scott responded, "is everyone ready?" Gordon, Alan and John nodded. "Dad, are you ready?
"Yes, I suppose so," Jeff frowned, "I'm just glad Virgil's still asleep so he won't ever know what's happening here."
"Grandma, what about you?" Scott questioned. "You don't have to stay, and you can still head back to the hotel if you want to?"
Ruth shook her head. "No Scott, I'm staying put!"
Scott grinned at her and then focussed on them all. "Right then, time to get this plan into motion… John, Grandma, Alan… You three go now. Myself and Gordon will follow in five minutes, then dad you follow ten minutes later."
… …
Emily Sanderson hid carefully, so as not to be seen, watching as the family made their way out of the ward. She couldn't believe her luck when Scott had said that they would all be going back to the hotel that evening. Thankful, that she could put her 'Plan A' into motion. As expected he contact had been able to knock the hospitals security cameras out, plus she had also managed to get hold of some drugs which she knew would kill Virgil instantly. The Hood may have wanted him to suffer first, she however just wanted him to die as quickly as possible!
… …
The family all sat in the office room gazing at the live feed from the camera they had setup in Virgil's room, while John focussed on his tablet which still displayed her trackers location.
Finally, half hour after Jeff had joined them, John broke the silence that had naturally engulfed them all. "She's heading to the room now."
They all breathed out as they watched the TV screen, each of them preparing to spring into action when the moment came.
… …
Emily Sanderson pushed the door open and quietly stepped inside. Observing Virgil, she took a step towards the bed, and paused as he quietly slept. Smiling to herself she made her way around the other side of the bed and placed the small bag that she was carrying down. Turning away from him, she began to open the bag, stopping when she heard a stir from behind her. Rotating back to face him, she smirked as he began to open his eyes.
… …
Watching the screen intently, Scott jumped out of his seat when he saw Virgil open his eyes. "Damn… He's waking up. Get ready go guys!"
… …
"Hello Virgil," she smirked, "It's been a while!"
Virgil's eyes widened, causing Emily to release an ominous laugh. "Well it looks like you're finally remembering what happened." Virgil tried to grab at her injured hand, but she held his hand down and then shoved a gag from her bag in his mouth. "You're not going to bite me again," she sneered, pulling the drugs from her bag, "and no one's coming for you, not this time… It's just me and you!"
At that moment, the doors swung open. "Get away from him!" Scott ordered as he sped into the room.
Shocked by the unexpected interruption, Emily dropped the drugs, and fled, easily pushing past Scott who was too busy concentrating on his brother. John and Gordon who were close behind Scott watched as she bolted down the corridor in the opposite direction. Glancing quickly at his tablet, John confirmed to Gordon which way she was heading, so he could give chase, before calling through to the others. "She's heading down the south wing."
"FAB." Several voices responded back.
… …
Scott flew to his brother's aid and quickly removed the gag from his mouth. "It was her," Virgil stuttered, shaking from the unexpected shock, "it was her… She was here… Before, with the Hood… She got away!"
Scott held Virgil's hands in his. "Virg, it's okay. We'll get her, she's not going anywhere. Virgil nodded, his whole body shaking. Scott pulled Virgil into his arms and held him securely. "It's okay. No one will hurt you again!"
Continuing to shake, Virgil glanced up into his big brother's eyes. "Scared!" He finally admitted, gripping tighter onto Scott.
"I know," Scott soothed, as Virgil broke down and openly wept in his arms.
Jeff raced past John with his mother and turned into the ward room. Seeing the state of his middle son, Jeff tried to step towards him. "It's okay son," Ruth said, holding Jeff back, "he'll be alright. Scott's got him."
… …
Gordon who was now joined by Alan, continued to pursue Emily as she raced down the south wing corridors. Turning onto another corridor both brothers stopped when they couldn't see where she had gone.
"Which way did she go?" Alan asked John through his watch.
John let out a slight laugh. "Do you both see the stairwell up ahead?"
"Yes," They both responded.
"She's gone done the stairs, heading to exit 6." John replied.
Gordon grinned. "FAB! We'll head there now and help pick up the pieces."
… …
Emily had been getting more and more aggravated when Gordon and Alan had kept managing to find her. Finally spotting the stairway which she knew would lead to the exit, she sped through it, pleased to see that she had lost her two pursuers. Continuing at a fast pace, and continually looking behind her, Emily did not spot the person standing in front of the door, and ran right into them falling to the ground. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, before looking the person who she had raced into in the eyes. "Wait, I know you?"
"Yes, you do. We met earlier today." Penny smiled, helping Emily to her feet, before gripping tightly on her injured hand. "You see, I knocked into you outside the police station, and I managed to plant a tracking device on you."
"Ouch, you're hurting me!" Emily cried out when Penny squeezed tighter on her injured hand.
"Oh, I'm hurting you?" Penny mocked. "Well, as you've hurt a very dear friend of mine, I felt it was the only right of me to hurt you back… To be honest though, I'm not getting any enjoyment from this." Penelope released her hand. "But this, this I will enjoy." She smirked, throwing a punch which knocked Emily Sanderson out cold.
