Frank shook his head, eyeing his phone in disbelief as the line went dead after his brother's words. He was going to kill Joe when he got a hold of him. Age had brought wisdom to the brothers and had tempered even Joe's impetuous nature somewhat. Frank knew he would keep out of the way unless he figured he had no other choice but to intervene...but knowing Joe that was a definite possibility. Jogging to the police tape Frank ducked under it, ignoring the shouts from the officer standing guard. He easily out footed the man and dodged around him on a singular mission to find the Chief and relay the information.
Running up to Ezra, he grabbed his attention once again with a shouted "hey!"
"Hardy!" the Chief began, clearly about to hit boiling point with the young man before him.
"No listen, I have news," Frank began, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "Joe's inside, he's just called."
The Chief listened to Frank's information before taking off his hat and wiping his brow with the back of his hand.
"We just got word Dante was inside. I was half wondering if this had something to do with him," the Chief began "the Marchettis are a pain in my ass."
Turning around he motioned to the team of four officers dressed head to toe in protective gear and carrying weapons.
"This is the situation..." After relaying what Joe had told them he began drawing up a battle plan. "I want you to go in there and confirm what it is Hardy has said. I want the layout of the room, the location of the hostages and the status of the assailants. We're going to try and make contact to them from out here. Do not engage the targets, I repeat. Do. Not. Engage. The last thing we need is a bloodbath, there's been two fatalities too many already. This is strictly recon do you understand?"
After a chorus of 'yes sir!' from the group, the leader of the team motioned towards the hospital and they headed towards it at a jog.
Frank sagged a little in relief but the undercurrent of worry wouldn't stop niggling at the pit of his stomach. He wanted to be inside helping, not outside waiting to hear if the sharks had figured out there was a guppy in the tank with them.
"Chief, is there anything I can do?" he asked, quick stepping up alongside Ezra as he turned and headed to the communications van.
"No, I can't have a civilian on site," Ezra began before being interrupted by Frank again.
"Please Chief, you can't send me away right now, not with Joe in there. I promise I'll do whatever you want and keep out of the way but don't sideline me."
After considering the young man in front of him with an uncomfortably long scrutiny, he turned on his heel and continued to the van, motioning in the air for Frank to follow. As much as the Hardy men could get on his last nerve sometime he couldn't deny their usefulness...and over the years he had developed a sort of soft spot for the brothers he would never admit to on pain of death. He wouldn't voice it out loud but secretly he was concerned about Joe's safety too. The Marchettis were nasty pieces of work.
Heading to the communications van in the area now known as the command centre, Ezra hopped up the steps into the back entrance leading into a fairly large space full of lights, leads and screens and two officers wearing head sets whilst furiously typing.
"Status?" barked Ezra, standing in the centre of the two working men.
"We're trying to secure connection to a live feed of the main security cameras for the floor that the gunshots were reported; third floor, section five. So far we've secured sections one through four and we're working on...the fifth."
As the weedy man finished his sentence, the screens in front of him already showing four pictures of empty hospital hallways and rooms flickered and a fifth popped into life showing the waiting room with the hostage situation unfolding.
The four men leaned forward towards the images, Ezra almost pressing his nose against the screen.
"Is there a delay in this picture?" he asked, unblinking.
"About thirty seconds," the tech replied, as involved in the screen as the Chief.
"It's dark in there, what is the status of the power?" asked the Chief.
"As far as we can tell they cut the main power to the room although I don't know why."
"To disorientate," Frank said suddenly breaking his silence. He had moved to a quiet corner out of the way of the working officers so as to minimise the chances of Collig growing irritated with his presence. "Control the lights and you can create a panic you can exploit."
"What about communications? Computers, phones?" asked Ezra.
"They've taken out everything as far as we can tell. We won't know how or what they've done until we have eyes on the grid inside," replied the tech officer.
"I'll get word to the scouts," Ezra said turning towards the radio station inside the van with the intent to communicate the information.
"All due respect sir but they're grunts," said the tech "they won't know the first thing about what they're looking at. It'll have to be one of us." At this he blanched slightly, his co-worker's face going slightly paler in the blue lights of the machinery although he did not protest.
"You're not field trained son," Ezra said rubbing his chin absent mindedly. "We're going to have to put a request out for an officer who understands all this techno nonsense."
"I'll go," Frank said, stepping forward suddenly.
"Out of the question," Ezra replied.
"Chief, I can do this. You know I've been in situations like it before and I know the technology," Frank said, keeping his tone even despite his racing heartbeat.
"You've been in the middle of a hostage take over ran by complete lunatics? Is that what you're saying Hardy?" Ezra barked.
"Well...no," Frank replied "but I've dealt with dangerous people any number of times and I don't easily lose my head. Besides, I'll be going to the power grid for the hospital. I'll be nowhere near the action."
Chief Collig froze on the spot giving Frank the once over once again. He couldn't deny that the kid had a point. He knew all about Frank's formidable knowledge of gadgets and gizmos. Hell they'd even had him help out when upgrading the station's modest computer systems last year.
"Fine Hardy. I'm sending you in. You even think of going anywhere near those crazy bastards and I'll cuff your ass quicker than you can say 'I took a wrong turn' you understand me boy?"
Frank nodded his assent eagerly, his pounding heart, if possible, picking up the pace slightly. Just being in the building would help him feel like he was contributing in getting Joe out as quickly as possible.
"OK. Suit up."
Joe hurriedly replaced his phone into his pocket, all the while straining his ears for any sounds of movement coming towards the door. He looked around the room considering his next move. It would be foolish for him to go anywhere near where the action was but perhaps he could disrupt their plans from behind the scenes.
He knew the two main entrances to the ward were now security deadlocked and the only way to open them without a massive amount of force lay behind the reception area. Bayport hospital had started taking security a lot more seriously after a day a few years back when a jealous ex had bust onto a ward brandishing a firearm. He could only imagine what alterations to security would occur based upon the current situation.
There was just one problem however...or rather six problems. All of them with guns. Joe eyed the small opening of the ventilation shaft that he had just crawled through and his back muscles shuddered in protest at the thought of climbing back into the cramped space. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Lance's muffled voice ordering one of his comrades to check the rooms for water or food. Clearly they hadn't planned on being in the hospital this long and had brought no supplies. Joe froze for a moment, hoping against hope that they wouldn't pick the room he was in to search first. His heart sank as the unmistakable sound of heavy footfalls headed his way.
Looking wildly around the room he realised there was nowhere to hide. He was in your average consultancy office. A square box with a desk, examination bed and a couple of chairs. There was no time to get into the vent let alone close the grate behind him. Instinctively crouching as if to make himself smaller, Joe silently moved across the room to the side of the door which would mask his body when the armed man entered. There was nothing for it, he was going to have to try to take him out...silently.
The door swung open and Joe froze, his fists in front of his face. The man was a giant. He was easily a foot taller than Joe and at least a hundred pounds heavier; and it was all muscle. He was close enough that the reek of adrenaline sweat choked Joe's throat. The only way he was going to come out on top in a hand to hand fight was with the element of surprise.
Taking a deep breath he waited until the moment the door closed behind the bruiser and stepped forward, tapping him on the shoulder. Visibly jumping, the man whipped around to face the younger Hardy. His shocked face would have been comical in any other situation. Joe realised the man before him was Nick, one of the goons who had pumped lead into one of the defenceless guards earlier in the day. The surge of white anger on the guard's behalf leant strength to the roundhouse punch Joe aimed at the Nick's head. Nick didn't even have a moment to react and the fist clocked him fully in the face, his nose exploding in a gush of red. Joe stepped forward to try to catch the man as he fell to the ground, obviously dazed and in a great deal of pain. As he swayed on his hands and knees he looked up at the truck that had hit him in time to see another hammer like punch fill his field of vision. He barely felt the fist collide before he was out like a light, collapsing to the ground in a heap.
Joe rammed his aching fist into his armpit and drew blood biting his lip in an effort not to cry out. Nick's head had felt like it was made of concrete. Pulling it out slowly he eyed his shaking hand, the knuckles already swelling and turning a deep shade of purple. He shook it in an effort to stop the pain, blinking rapidly to clear the tears from his eyes as he listened intently to hear if the sounds of struggle had been detected by the rest of the mob gang. It didn't seem so and Joe blew his cheeks out in relief as he aimed a sneer downwards at the unconscious man before him.
That was for the guards he thought, resisting the urge to send a kick hurtling Nick's way. He may be a scumbag but Joe wasn't prepared to shove a boot into an unarmed man. Now what?
His instincts were to get back into the vent and get away from the room entirely, but if he did that his cover would be blown immediately. He'd have to restrain Nick in some way but again it was only a matter of time before he was found. Probably when he didn't immediately come back out of the room holding sandwiches...
A plan started forming in the back of Joe's mind but it seemed so cliché ridiculous that he refused to even consider the thought. Although...
Looking down at Nick he eyed up the scarf the man had obviously been wearing since they first entered the room. Possibly it's original intent had been to conceal their identities after the first plan went pear shaped. He was noticeably bigger than Joe but it wouldn't it be that obvious under the layers of protective clothing Nick was sporting right?
Screw it Joe thought, already bending over Nick and looking at the straps fixing the vest and ammunitions belt onto the muscle bound man. He wrinkled his nose in distaste as he heaved him onto his back to unclasp the jacket; Nick was wringing with perspiration. Not that I smell much better after my little trip through the vents.
Pulling the vest over his head, he quickly went about fastening the various buckles and clasps before pulling on the ammunitions belt and heaving Nick's hands behind his back. Quickly and securely he unhooked the man's belt and used it to tie his hands together. Next using his own belt he trussed the man's feet. A strip of Nick's t-shirt served as a gag. Stepping back he eyed up his handiwork, using the back of a now gloved hand to wipe the dripping sweat off his brow. It had taken the work of moments to both take down Nick and slip into his gear. Hopefully it was short enough a time to not arouse suspicions...hopefully they figured Nick was just being thorough on his food based mission.
Joe brought a hand up to his noticeably longer and noticeably lighter locks of hair and attempted to smooth them back into something of an imitation of Nick's. Luckily Nick had gone against the grain and not opted for a buzz cut like the rest of the Swiss Family Looney Tunes. Maybe if he kept his head down and just aimed for the next room, as if still searching, without attracting too much attention this ridiculous ruse might just hold out long enough for him to open one of the secure entrances to the department...then he could skedaddle back to a vent and wait for the cavalry to arrive. There was only so much one man could do and he knew being any bolder could be more of a hindrance than a help. Pulling up the face scarf somewhat to hide his features Joe took a deep breath before picking up the machine gun Nick had dropped with a sneer. He was not a fan of guns. Opening the door slightly he saw that none of the gang had their attentions fixed upon him and, heart pounding, he forced himself to walk at a natural pace to the room next in line, head bowed slightly and arms held wider apart than normal in an effort to make his bulk seem larger from the corner of their eyes.
Pushing through the next door he stepped into the room and took a moment to heave a sigh of relief. This stupid, Joe Hardy plan was working. He didn't even want to think about what Frank would say when he got out of this mess...if...if he got out of this mess.
Shaking off the morbid thoughts, he planned his next move silently allowing enough time to pass so it would seem he was still searching the room. The reception was on the way to the next office. It had a raised wall area to separate it from the rest of the room. If he walked behind it instead of walking in front of it as you would probably naturally do, he might be able to find a way to duck down behind the desk and find the security release for one of the doors.
Steeling himself again, he counted to three before slowly opening the door. Again everyone's attention was fixed elsewhere so he slowly made his way to the large desk and walked behind it. He ducked down as if he was searching behind the wall and furiously scanned the area for the button that controlled the door lock system. It was the receptionist's job to let people into the waiting room when a patient pressed a buzzer from outside. Finally, chest pounding, he found the switch and flicked it to the on position hearing the bolts click back and hoping the sniffling sounds coming from some of the hostages would mask it.
He almost jumped out of his skin when Lance's voice rang out across the room.
"Nick! Any luck with that water yet. I'm getting kind of thirsty here..."
The threat of failure was barely concealed in his voice. Joe's eyes widened slightly as he realised everyone's attention would be fixed on him for the moment and he stayed exactly where he was but started rummaging at the boxes of paper work stacked behind the desk in an attempt to sound like he was still looking.
"Not yet...boss," he replied doing his best to imitate the Nick's voice which he had heard only briefly earlier. He waited a beat, his hands slowly moving towards the gun looped over his neck. This could be it.
"Well get a goddamn move on would ya?"
When the reply came Joe closed his eyes briefly before grunting an affirmative. He stayed where he was for another thirty seconds, still rummaging, before daring to slowly stand and walk towards the next door. His heart was beating so loudly in his ears he was sure everyone in the room could hear it. He had to force himself to not slam the door behind him when he eventually made it into the office. Clawing at the mask, he pulled it down his face heaving huge gulps of air with his eyes closed. When he opened them he froze for a second seeing he was not alone in the room before realising he had walked into the area Nick had dragged the dead guards earlier. The asshat had just dumped them where he dragged them, leaving them in a rag doll heap unbecoming of their brave actions prior to their death.
Sorry fellas Joe thought with genuine sadness as he began ripping off Nick's stolen uniform and ammunitions belt. If he'd had time he would have arranged them with more dignity but time was something Joe was rapidly running out of. He finally finished unclipping the last buckle before throwing the vest over his head and grasping for his phone.
'West entrance open.'
He had seconds to fire a text to Frank before pocketing the phone and launching himself silently at the grate to the vent on the wall, propelling himself onto a chair and moving the fastenings with record speed. He pulled the grate down allowing it to hang freely before shimmying into the small opening. Pulling it back towards him, he fiddled with the clasps until it was finally in place before heaving himself down the tunnel with the intention of getting as far away from that room as possible. It was surely only a matter of time before his actions were discovered.
Thanks so much for the reviews chaps, especially to the guests who I can't respond to personally.
All comments and critiques are welcome as usual!