SIX
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor did I create, any of the A-team characters (main or support) nor do I own, nor did I create, any of the episodes. That credit is due to Stephen J. Cannell and his associates. Any familiar catch phrases or settings also belong to the Cannell team.
Spoiler Alert: References characters, locations, plot, and revelations from Season 3 Episode 11 "The Bells of St. Mary's". including but not limited to St. Mary's School, Angels Guardians, Sr. Catherine, Billy Rey King, Charlotte King, The Bells, Dave Luna, and Zeke Westerland.
Timothy, Miss Chambers, Coach Boggs, Sr. Ruth, Sr. Paulette, Mr. Scott, and Ms Westerman, Wallace Westerman are my OCs as are any of the assorted students at St. Mary's.
Author's Notes: Hi Readers Just wanted to apologize for the extended time between chapter updates. It's been a bit crazy here. My husband had a medical event - Thankfully he's all better now. That was quickly followed by family visits and holiday hecticness. Understandable that my muse flew the coop for a bit
The seed for this story was planted by Peppe1951 who requested a story about the Team and their security company.
Summary: Armed with good leads and a solid clue, the Team sets off on recon missions.
Return to St. Mary's: A Case Close to Their Hearts: by LAGC
Chapter 6: Snooping and Tracking ...
Face and Murdock set off to 1212 Mockingbird Lane to see what they could unearth by returning the wallet to Wallace Westerman. BA and Hannibal set off to tail Scott but first they had a stop to make.
As BA pulled up to the curb at their first destination he muttered, "Man! It's been a year but it still feels so weird doing this without sneakin' or frettin' "
"I know what you mean Big Guy. But we've certainly earned it." replied Hannibal as he held open the door of the LAPD headquarters and motioned BA in.
When the desk sergeant asked the purpose of their visit, Hannibal replied, "We need to speak with Commissioner Ed Maloney."
"Does he know to expect you?" asked the desk clerk. His haughty tone implying he wouldn't let the men past.
"We have a standing appointment. Just tell him Hannibal and BA are here." The Colonel confidently ordered.
The officer unhurriedly picked up his phone and dialed the Commissioner's extension. He dutifully relayed Hannibal's message. Based upon the changes in his physical demeanor Hannibal guessed that Maloney was tearing him down for not simply allowing the A-team members into his office. The now slightly dejected officer looked at the pair and said, "The commissioner said to come right down. I'll walk you to his office."
"Just stay in your seat, Sucker. We know the way." rumbled BA as he flung open the hall door.
"Like I said ….a standing appointment." snarked Hannibal as he followed BA.
"Well guys. What brings you by today? Sorry about the desk sergeant, he's a transfer." greeted Ed Maloney in his gravely no nonsense voice. The three men exchanged handshakes.
"Well Ed first we need to turn this in." Hannibal said as he placed the dismantled gun on the commissioner's desk. "We will need a fingerprint analysis ID too."
"Some thug dropped it at St Mary's School. Sucker was running off after trashing the gym lockers. The lowlife dropped it in the back field where the kids play." BA explained.
"What's this about the school?" said Maloney. He had already bagged the weapon and was reaching for his phone. Hannibal and BA held off further discussion as Maloney ordered a beat cop to come to fetch the gun and bring it to the lab.
Then Hannibal quickly brought Maloney up to speed on the case. The Commissioner listened professionally and asked if the Team needed any further police assistance. Hannibal politely declined saying that the fingerprint ID would suffice for now. The men parted ways with another handshake and pledges to keep each other in-the-loop. With that piece of their mission complete BA drove the van to a prime surveillance perch near Damon Construction and waited for their quarry to exit.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
"Oh Faceman. So what's the scam when we get to Wallet Wally's abode." queried Murdock. He clutched his beloved baseball cap protectively against the wind gush as Face sped down the highway. It seemed to the Captain that Face was using autopilot as he aimed his 'vette down the asphalt.
Murdock's question seemed to break Face from his reverie. Momentarily his gazed blankly at Murdock. Giving his head, and mind, a cleansing shake, Face replied, "Oh pretty straight forward. I'm going to knock on his door to return the wallet I found on the sidewalk. Then I'll get myself invited in so I can do a quick recon."
"What about me, Muchacho?"
"That, Murdock, is the trickier more exciting part." replied Face with his devilish grin flashing.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
It has been about an hour since BA had parked the van, partially concealed behind a dumpster, and Hannibal was fidgety. Their quarry had not appeared. Just as the Colonel was about to scheme a way into Damon Co, Scott materialized in the doorway of the building.
Scott strode arrogantly to his shiny BMW. He got in and checked his hair in the rear view mirror. Made a quick call from the car phone. It didn't seem to be a pleasant conversation. He slammed the receiver down, slapped the steering wheel then drove off. He rudely cut into traffic and sped off.
BA started up the van and skillfully began the pursuit. He held back enough to conceal their presence yet kept the Beemer in clear sight.
"Looks like he's heading to the highway,Hannibal." BA declared.
"That appears to be a safe assumption, Sergeant. Wish I could have heard that phone call"
"Well we couldn't bug the car since we didn't know which one belonged to that Sucka."
"I know that BA. Just stick with him. He's taking the on ramp."
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Face undid his top button and pulled open his tie. He then tugged up his shirt to give him a slightly day-worn look. He quickly checked his appearance in the car window reflection. Murdock nodded indicating that Face had achieved the "tired midlevel office worker" persona he was going for. Then Face walked across the street and approached 1212 East Mockingbird Dr.
The con-man made a clear show of double checking the mailbox address against the wallet ID. Once this was accomplished Face walked up to the door of the nondescript one story ranch and rang the doorbell.
A ragged smoke tarnished voice hesitantly called out, "Who is it?"
Face replied, "Dwayne Dawson."
A small peep window slid open, a wary eye appeared,"Who are you? And why are you here?"
Donning a simple dull smile Face responded, "If you're Wallace Westerman I believe I've found your wallet."
This elicited a surprised gasp from the man behind the door followed by the sounds of a series of locks being undone. The door then swung open. Face finally saw the entirety of Wallace Westerman. Face quickly noted that Wallace looked too scrawny to be your typical muscle-for-hire thug. His right arm hung awkwardly at his side and it was with much effort that he raised it to shake Face's extended hand.
"Ooh looks like your arm is giving you some pain." commented 'Dwayne'
"Um yeah a bit I guess."
"Did you take a fall or something?" 'Dwayne' pried while trying to scan the house behind Wallace.
"Um um not really. Um I banged against a stuck swinging door." answered the mark distractedly
Face had to remind himself to keep focus and maintain character as he realized that the stuck door was more than likely the door that bludgeoned Sister Catherine.
"You said you had my wallet?"
"Oh um yes right here." Face held up the pleather billfold.
"Where'd ya find it Mister?"
"Oh feel free to call me Dwayne, friend. I found it in a gutter downtown." Face answered vaguely while innocently ignoring Wallace's outstretched palm. With some simple squirming, Face had manipulated his mark into opening his door wide and providing a fine view of the entire living room. Some papers on the battered coffee table and a portrait above the lumpy sofa caught Faceman's attention.
Face made a move to pass Wallace the wallet then suddenly and loudly he succumbed to a tremendous toe curling sneeze that had him propel the wallet past Westerman and onto the middle of the living room floor. While Westerman recoiled from the sneeze, Face plunged after the wallet. He apologized for the sneeze and for dropping the billfold.
"Oh I'm sorry. Here allow me to pick it up for you." Face hurriedly mumbled.
"You really don't need to."
"Oh I insist." Face dropped to his knees to snatch up the wallet. On his way up he used the coffee table for leverage. Another bold sneeze gave him a chance to check out the portrait in question.
By this time Westerman had recovered his self control and quickly seized the wallet from Face.
"Well thank you for retuning my wallet. Rare to find an honest do-Gooder these days. But you knocked just as I was about to go to my second shift. So I really don't have time to chat."
Face took the hint. Besides he had gotten all the info he needed and Murdock should have had enough opportunity to pull off his part of the mission.
Additional Author's note:***************************J
Ed Maloney is a character from Season 1 Episode 4 -A Small and Deadly War and as such is the property of Stephen J. Cannell and Assiciates.