Run and Hide
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with the show - if it's recognizable, it's not mine. I just borrow them, take 'em apart, then give them back after trying to put them back together. ^_^
A/N: Sorry if this is a late update; I'm stretching the time between updates as I am not yet finished with the story - I thought I was, but I couldn't just wrap it up and tie it with a neat little bow. I don't make things easy by any means LOL. ;) And I do have to work and contribute to life, too. ;)
So yeah, okay... I don't know where this stuff comes from. I like psychology. I like the inner workings of how the mind works. And apparently I'm sadistic. (O_o) Oh yeah, and the next few chapters are making me nervous. (O_O)
So go ahead and take a look... just remember, if you kill the author you can't receive any more updates... ;)
Chapter 8
"I've received word, Danny."
"Dad?" Danny asked, feeling a sense of excitement break through the gloom surrounding him. "Then we've found a way to keep him alive!"
"Maybe… don't place everything you've got on this. We still have to get to Jamie ourselves."
"I know, Dad. We're working on a location. Another one of his cronies was identified today… Kevin Sheffield. He does have an address, but he hasn't lived there in ages. Jackie's working on his parents as we speak."
"Good. Keep me posted."
~~BB~~
Jamie startled awake, unsure of what woke him. He had gone back to his usual spot under the window once he'd been released from the chair. He spotted Andy standing in front of him. He rolled away, quickly getting to his feet in a crouching position, his ribs tugging painfully. He shrunk back as Jake stepped out from behind him. He had been surrounded, and hadn't even realized it. He stared at the object in Jake's hand.
"Hold him."
Jamie tried to lunge away, but Andy was too quick for him. He and Kevin each grabbed an arm in a tight grip. Jamie struggled, trying to pull his arms away. Jake kicked him, connecting with the bruise that had already formed. Jamie cried out, painful fire erupting under his skin…
"You're weak, Reagan." Jake sneered, readying the weapon. Jamie's watering eyes stared fearfully at the thick leather whip in his hands, following Jake as he circled them. "You're nothing. You're dirt under my feet…"
The whip rained down on Jamie's back, snapping harshly against his skin. His body jerked forward as he held his tongue, his eyes streaming. The whip snapped again, catching his chest, stinging the newly scabbed cuts from the knife. A grunt escaped his lips as his fists clenched. The whip snapped again and again, each time Jamie's resolve wavering. White hot pain streaked through his body. He found it harder to breathe, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His brain fought to stay alert. He barely felt the floor under his body as Andy and Kevin let go. Jamie shivered, unconsciousness threatening, as the whip rained down…
~~BB~~
Cole stared, his face a solid, emotionless mask. The only thing that gave away the fear was the slight shaking of his hands. He shoved them in his jacket pockets to hide them. He watched Jake's manic face as he whipped the youngest Reagan over and over. He watched as Jamie's body fell, the man trying futilely to curl away from his punishment. He watched as Jamie struggled to breathe…
His fists clenched in his pockets; he couldn't just stand still. He strode over to Jake, grabbing his arm before he could bring the whip down onto the barely conscious man at his feet.
"Back off, Cole! He'll still be good for your later use!"
"Shut up, Jake. You're going to kill him, and you know it! How are you going to complete your plan if he's dead?"
Jake turned to glare at him. "Damn it, Cole. Unfortunately, you're right." He knelt down next to the quivering body. "Tell me, Reagan… what are you?"
Jamie's unfocused eyes squeezed shut as his jaw clenched. "I'm…"
"Yes?" Jake murmured gleefully.
"I'm weak… I'm nothing…" he mumbled, praying that Jake would leave him alone, having heard what he wanted.
An evil smile broke over Jake's face. He quirked an eyebrow. "Exactly, Reagan. See, was that so hard? Rest now, Reagan. You've got another show later."
Cole swallowed thickly, his hand clenching around the small rectangular object in his jacket pocket. It looked like Jamie would follow the path of Jake's other unfortunate victims… he could only hope he was in time…
~~BB~~
Jackie hung up the phone, a triumphant smile adorning her lips. She reached for the phone again, about to dial a number; it rang just as her fingers touched it…
~~BB~~
Danny entered his father's house, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Dad?" he called. "Grandpa?"
"Living room, Danny."
Danny entered the living room to find his father in his chair, reading the paper. Henry was in the other chair, staring at the TV but not really seeing it. "Hi." he murmured softly, taking a seat on the couch. His father lowered the paper, giving him a stern look. "What's wrong?"
"You were supposed to keep me informed, Danny."
"Dad, we just got the information… Kevin's parents said he had fallen in with a bad crowd and moved out a year and a half ago. They refused to say where. Their little angel would never do something as bad as killing or kidnapping." Danny muttered sarcastically. "We showed them the pictures of the man we found in the woods…"
Frank nodded. He knew all too well the use of shock value to get information. He hated it, but sometimes it was necessary. "Did you find an address?"
"They didn't know exactly where but they thought that he had moved to an area behind that old industrial site."
"That area's abandoned now. No one's willing to stay there since the reports of poisoning through the ground water leaking into the water system. The noise chased people away, too. It's set to be demolished in a couple of months."
"Exactly. It's perfect for hiding someone, and if nothing else, we could get them on squatting."
Frank smirked. "Did you check it out?"
Danny nodded. "Yes… it's empty, Dad. There's no movement anywhere, no vehicles… no signs of life."
Frank stared at his son, a lump forming in his throat. He shared a scared look with his father. "Danny…"
Danny lowered his eyes. "I know, Dad… that was our best shot, but we're not giving up. Jackie's still at the precinct, and I'm going to go back as well. I just wanted to tell you personally…"
Frank nodded, hope fading fast. "Thank you, Danny. If only we…"
He was interrupted by Danny's cellphone ringing. Danny reached for it without even looking at it. "It's probably Jackie." he said, flipping it open. "Reagan."
"Nice to hear your voice again, Reagan."
Danny sat up. "Who the hell…"
"What, you don't remember me? I'm hurt!"
Danny clenched his phone in his fist, shooting a look at his stunned father and grandfather. "Jake?"
"Ah, finally the old brain clicks in."
"How did you get my number?"
A sigh. "Look at your phone, moron." Danny frowned, taking a quick glance at the screen. His eyes widened. He flashed his phone at his father. His father looked just as stunned to see Jamie's number across the screen.
"Where's Jamie?" he demanded, his voice hard, motioning for his father to call Jackie and get her to put a trace on Jamie's phone.
"Put me on speaker, first. You don't really think I trust you, do you?"
Danny motioned for his father to wait. "What are you talking about?"
"You'll get your precious brother's phone traced. If you put me on speaker, I can hear what's going on around you."
Danny clenched his teeth, suppressing a frustrated snort. He motioned to his father to continue, mouthing 'kitchen' and 'close the door' to him. "Fine, Jake. I'll put you on speaker." he replied, giving a look to his father who nodded in understanding. He already had the phone in hand and was dialing Jackie. He quickly walked into the kitchen, closing the door to explain the situation.
Danny pressed the button for speakerphone, motioning for his grandfather to keep quiet. His father wandered back into the living room, pointing at the kitchen, meaning that he had left Jackie alone to put the trace on. He wanted to hear what this bastard wanted.
"You're on speaker."
"Good." Jake's voice came through sounding small and tinny, but just as menacing. "You Reagan's are all alike, aren't you? It took a long time to break him…"
Danny swallowed the lump in his throat. "What are you talking about?"
"When you put my father away, Reagan, you kept at him until he caved. I don't really care, mind you. He was a drunken loser that beat us and killed my mother, it's not like I actually liked the guy… but you never gave up. Your weak little brother couldn't save the only person in the world that was important to me… I had to do it, Reagan. I had to break him."
Danny clenched his fists. "If you hurt him…" he growled, feeling his father's hand on his shoulder. His grandfather joined them on the couch, offering what support he could.
Jake laughed. "Oh, that's an understatement, Reagan. But he was a tough nut to crack. Like you, he's stubborn. He's tough, though he doesn't look it right now."
Danny felt the bile rise in his throat at the audible sneer in Jake's voice. "I swear Caulfield…" he stopped, feeling his father squeeze his shoulder in warning. He breathed deeply, trying to calm himself. "Let me talk to him…"
"I don't think he's in much of a talking mood right now… but I assure you, he's very much alive. For now."
Danny's jaw clenched. "Why, Jake? Why was this so important to you?"
"That boy was my brother! He was the only good thing I had!" Jake screamed into the phone.
"Jamie didn't kill him!" Danny ground out. "He wasn't around… he couldn't have stopped…"
"He wasn't around? Is that what he told you? So much for trust in the family." Jake snickered.
Danny glanced at his father, frowning. "What are you talking about, Jake?"
"He was there, Reagan. He pulled his gun. He could have fired… but he was too slow. Then when he had a chance to save my brother, he didn't try hard enough…"
Danny shook his head. "No… you're lying, Jake. If Jamie had the chance, he would have taken it. He would have fired his gun."
"Well, rookie mistakes, I guess." Jake mocked. "Now my brother is dead, thanks to yours. I think this is only fair, don't you?"
"What is?" Danny stuttered, panic rising. "What are you talking about, Jake?"
"An eye for an eye? Your brother for mine? I'd say a trade, but since I'll never get Toby back…"
"Jake, just stop and think about what you are doing…" Danny tried reasoning with him, his hands cold and shaking. He could feel his grandfather tense up beside him, feel his father's hand gripping his shoulder…
Jake's voice carried away from the phone. "Hey Andy… go ahead."
The Reagan's stiffened as they heard something electric in the background, followed by a small moan they knew had to have come from Jamie…
"Oh, turn up the heat already, Andy… you're being a pussy!" Jake growled.
A snap of electricity was heard, followed by a scream… sobbing… another cry of pain…
"Stop…" a tiny voice mumbled from far away… "Don't, please… no more…"
"Jamie…" Danny whispered, his brain going fuzzy.
Another scream…
Danny startled as he heard his own name. "Danny…" a voice sobbed. "Stay away… don't bother coming for me… it's too dangerous…" Jamie's voice was cut off by another cry of pain…
"It won't be long now." Jake's voice snarled menacingly. "Bye, Reagan. Enjoy your life without your brother in it."
The three Reagan's stared at the phone, hearing nothing but the dial tone, Jamie's screams still ringing in their ears. It was only when Danny reached for his phone with a trembling hand that he realized he had tears streaming down his face. His grandfather was hunched over, face buried in his hands. His father…
"Dad…" Danny said, reaching for him. Frank's face was a picture of horror and pain.
"My son…" he mumbled. "My baby boy…"
"Dad!" Danny gently shook him, heart tearing in two as he watched the tears fall from his father's eyes. "You left Jackie on the other line, didn't you?"
Frank seemed to snap awake. "Danny? Yes… in the kitchen…"
Danny raced for the phone. "Jack?"
"Danny?"
"Did you get anything?"
"Yes, Danny. What was that noise? Was that Jamie?" Jackie sounded stunned and tearful, her voice thick.
Danny swallowed. "Torture… Jackie, what did you get?"
Suddenly, Jackie was all business. "I had been about to call you Danny, right before your father called me. We didn't go far enough into the abandoned residential area."
"What do you mean, we didn't go far enough in?" Danny was only partially aware of his father and grandfather standing behind him.
"There are two old abandoned farmhouses, one closer to the residential area, and one a few miles away. I had forgotten they were there, but they're even better for squatters as no one would think to look there."
"Which means they're better for hiding someone."
"Exactly. Danny, the trace I did on Jamie's phone came from that area… the first farmhouse. And not more than two minutes ago, I just received inside word that it is the old farmhouse."
"Jackie, thank you! Suit up, let the group know. We're going in. Stealth mode, so they don't know we're coming." He quickly hung up, turning to his anxious elders. "We've got him, Dad."
"I'm going with you." Frank spoke, his voice hard.
"Dad…"
"No, Danny, I'm going."
Danny knew there was no arguing with him. "Alright. We have to stop back at the precinct. My group has been in on this since day one, and the Twelfth will want in on it as well."
"I'm already putting a call through." Frank said, pulling out his cellphone.
Henry stopped his grandson. "Danny… whatever you find…"
Danny hugged his grandfather. "I'll bring him home, Gramps. No matter what, he's coming home."
Henry nodded, throat clogged. He watched as his two family members barged out the door to Danny's waiting car.
"Hold on, Jamie." he mumbled. "They're coming for you. Just hold on."
~~BB~~
"Jake, we've really done it now." Andy mumbled in a panic. Kevin fidgeted nervously beside him. Cole stood off to the side, glaring at the floor.
"Forget it." Jake snarled, a wild look on his face. He didn't even look connected with reality anymore. "He's dead… that's all that matters."
"Yeah, but they're cops." Kevin muttered, shooting a nervous look at the unmoving body on the floor. "They'll be all over us in no time! We have to get out of here!"
"I had them put me on speakerphone so that I could hear if they called for a trace. They wouldn't risk it."
Andy shot Kevin an incredulous look. Did Jake really believe that? Kevin shook his head, muttering in Andy's ear.
"He'll believe anything now. His so-called logic is the only logic according to him." Andy nodded in agreement.
"We have to get out of here."
"Agreed."
Jake was pacing, muttering to himself. His head snapped up as he heard scuffling. "Get your asses back here, morons! We have to bury the body! We can't leave evidence!"
"We already have, you idiot!" Kevin screamed back.
Jake was panicking, muttering incoherently. He didn't see his dead man try to roll over, or Cole perk up at a sound near the top of the stairs, nor did he see the blond streak lunge at him. He landed on the ground on his face.
"Snap out of it, Jake!" Cole shouted. "Let's get out of here before the cops show up!"
Jake let himself be pulled up and shoved towards the stairs. They reached the top of the landing…
There were shouts, lights flashing in their eyes… red and blue lights outside…
Jake snarled, lunging towards the only figure he could see, the only one closest to him…
Danny gave a yelp as he suddenly found himself tumbling backwards down the front steps. He hit the dirt, grateful the fall wasn't too steep. He blocked the hits from the murderous redhead on top of him. He landed his own hate-filled punches as he tried to reach for his gun, which had fallen out of his hand. It was too far away. Jake lunged for it…
They scrambled for it. An elbow hit Danny's face, snapping his head back. He grabbed his jaw, trying to blink away the lights…
A shot rang out… another followed milliseconds behind it…
Danny jerked, expecting the pain. He looked up, noticing his father's smoking gun, Jackie's gun following suit. He scrambled upright, noticing the body at his feet.
Jake was very much dead, two spots of red growing and meshing together on the front of his shirt. He watched as two of the men were hauled away, both of them staring angrily at the ground. The blond man was being led to another car. He caught Danny's eye, giving him a short nod. Danny gave a tense nod back.
"Nice shot, Sir." Jackie smiled, holstering her gun. Frank gave a tense smile in return.
"You too, Detective." Frank praised her. He quickly turned to Danny. "Are you alright, son?"
"I'm fine, Dad." he muttered, feeling his split lip. "Nothing broken." Frank nodded, resting a hand on his shoulder. Danny motioned to a couple of uniforms to stand guard over the body as they made their way into the house.
"I found Jamie!" Renzulli's voice shouted from somewhere downstairs, a silent command sending uniforms flying down the stairs, EMT's following behind them now that the house was cleared.
Danny's heart lodged in his throat. He knew he was running, but the descent seemed to move in slow motion…
Frank's breath stopped as his heart pounded painfully in his chest. He followed his oldest, staying right on his heels…
Danny stopped in the doorway, Frank running into him. Uniforms turned towards them, shooting looks of sympathy as they moved aside…
They moved closer, Frank's hand on Danny's shoulder for support. Renzulli hunched over his partner, speaking to him, almost begging…
"Dad…" Danny mumbled, staring at the mess that was his brother. He collapsed to his knees, taking in the fear in Renzulli's eyes, the tears running down his face. He felt his father kneel next to him, a hand constantly on his back.
Jamie was covered in blood, cuts, and welts. There was a dried patch of blood on the side of his head just above his temple that looked like it was days old. A bruise was starting on the left side of his face. The blood soaked into his jeans, the cuts still oozing at an alarming rate. Bruises littered his ribs, a few visible lumps indicating that some were cracked or even broken; more bruises covered his lower abdomen. There were two-pronged burns on his chest and stomach, likely from the taser that Danny had heard earlier. His wrists contained rope burn, the flesh on his arms exposing tiny cuts. His left wrist was still oozing blood from a much deeper cut. Danny guessed that his back was just as bad judging by the way Jamie was tensed up, as if he were trying to make himself float above the floor...
Danny took a shuddering breath, leaning forward to gaze into his brother's face. He placed a hand softly on his cheek. "Jamie…" he murmured. "Jamie, open your eyes…"
Jamie's eyelids fluttered, but didn't open. His breathing was shallow and ragged. His hand twitched and Danny grabbed it, squeezing gently. He received a weak squeeze in return, a wordless thank you…
"Danny… son, we have to let the medics get in here…" Frank whispered softly, also reaching for his son's hand. "Jamie," he murmured, "Hang on son, we've got you. You've just got to hang on…"
They reluctantly stepped away as the EMT's moved in. They gripped each other for support, not noticing the band of uniforms and detectives surrounding them, offering their own support as they solemnly and silently watched one of their own placed on a stretcher. Jackie placed her hand on Danny's arm, tears leaking from her eyes as she watched the young man she considered a friend lie on the stretcher, struggling to breathe.
Danny closed his eyes as the EMT's wheeled Jamie past him. He couldn't stand to watch the tears leaking from under his baby brother's closed lids as tears ran from his own…
~~TBC~~