Lance turned to Frank, an eyebrow raised before lifting his gun slightly and motioning him into the ward. Frank turned slowly and started to cross the room, managing to sneak a brief glance down to Joe whose face had fallen. Though not filled with much colour to begin with, the younger Hardy had gone noticeably paler at the current turn of events.
Walking onwards, Frank stopped at the doorway as Nick eyed him slowly before stepping to the side to allow him entry. Frank heard Lance ordering the women to haul the trolley, with the prone form of the doctor, out of the room and off to their freedom. They didn't need to be told twice and as a unit they pushed the gurney out into the hallway, loudly gasping at the sight of the dead scouts in the hallway before the door closed behind them cutting off the noise and sending them on their way to fresh air.
Frank was aware of the sound of footsteps behind him and the imposing figure of Lance filled the doorway, his need to know why Dante had summoned the delivery boy painted across his face. Frank was as taken aback by the ominous form of Dante as Joe had been when he'd first clapped eyes on him. The older Hardy had not dealt with the head of the family directly but like his brother and father he was very aware of the Marchettis and their movements. He'd seen countless pictures of the man before him in print connected to various crimes. The pictures could not convey the lethal, imposing nature of Dante, however, and Frank had to steal himself so as not to betray his true feelings. He didn't know what Dante wanted but he was determined to try to stay out of trouble.
"Why hello there. It's nice to meet you boy," Dante purred, his words edged with a wheezing coming deep from inside his chest. A sickly sweat coated his forehead and his eyes were slightly clouded with pain but Frank had a feeling that this wouldn't slow the man down. "I have always wanted to meet Fenton's boys in the flesh."
An icy bolt of pure fear flashed through Frank at his words and he had to fight hard to keep his face from giving the game away.
"I'm sorry?" he said, attempting to keep his voice neutral. Lance's head had whipped up at his father's words and his eyes narrowed as he considered Frank properly for the first time.
"Don't play cute with me kid," Dante said, smiling though his eyes flashed with anger "I like to keep tabs on people who meddle with my family and your father is high on that list. It's only right that I'd keep a tab on his up and coming, rising star detective offspring as well. You were obviously going to become a thorn in my side sooner or later."
Frank swallowed as his mouth went dry at Dante's words. He realised denying who his father was would do him no good. He'd been rumbled. He set his mouth in a grim line and stared right back at Dante, saying nothing.
"I thought as much, well welcome along to our little family outing," Dante said, his eyes narrowing.
Lance had started seething where he stood at Dante's revelation, his eyes never leaving Frank's face. With a yell he stepped forward and lashed out sending Frank crashing to his knees as he belted him across the face. He pulled his leg back in order to send a kick at the dazed youth before him, but a softly spoken "Lance," from his father froze him.
"That's no way to treat our guests," Dante said, his words as cold as iron.
"His brother got Carlos killed," Lance bit out without looking at Dante, "if I kill this kid then that little bastard out there will know the meaning of the word loss before I send him six feet under as well."
"Lance, my dear, I am as angry as you are at losing Carlos," Dante said, actual sorrow lacing his words, "he was my brother's boy after all. But there are better ways of using these two don't you think? I would like to get out of this hell hole today if possible."
From his position near the ground Frank's mind whirled as he attempted to figure a way out of this mess that wouldn't result in either he or his brother losing their lives. Nothing was crying out as a good idea however, so he decided to try to keep Dante talking whilst he attempted to think of a solution.
"How did you find yourself in here anyway Dante?" he asked, bringing his hand up to rub his aching cheekbone where Lance's fist had connected with his face.
"I, unfortunately, had a little accident," Dante replied, waving his arm stump in the air so Frank could see his lack of a hand. "Although, I guess accident may not strictly be the right turn of phrase."
"You telling me someone on the inside wanted to take a souvenir?" Frank asked, slowly getting back to his feet and shaking his head slightly to clear the cobwebs.
"Well, let's just say I had to think of one sure fire way to get me off site for a little while so my darling family could come for a proper visit," Dante replied, his stare turning icy as he watched the meaning of his words sink into the young man before him.
"You...you mean you cut off your own hand so you could leave the jail?" Frank asked, a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. A man who was prepared to go to such extremes was a man he didn't want to be confined in a small room with.
"Their on site facility deals with quite a number of everyday injuries. I had to be a little more...creative to make sure I would be taken out of the system."
"Well not to point out the obvious here Dante, but it kind of looks like you wasted your time a little," Frank said cooly. "You're a hand down and in a hospital surrounded by police. Maybe your guys should have spent a little longer on the planning phase before you dropped you digits."
"The plan was perfect!" roared Lance suddenly, making Frank flinch a little despite himself.
"Lance, indoor voice please," Dante said coldly before turning back to Frank "I admit I was a little sceptical when my boy told me they planned to just wheel me out of here and into the sunset but they were right in thinking no one would take notice of men in scrubs."
"It got us into the building didn't it?" Lance said almost sullenly. "If that bitch hadn't noticed Tony's gun we'd have been high and dry."
"So I take it you had a backup plan that involved taking out the power and suiting up with the automatics incase your brilliant idea went south?" Frank asked, piecing the puzzle together. It was obvious they'd had a man in the system control room who'd rammed a hunting knife into the machinery when whoever it was in the waiting room had noticed the worker on shift who'd happened to be packing. They must have sported their Action Man gear under their scrubs. A quick costume change and they'd gone from being everyday working people to a squadron of terror.
"My well you are the quick one, what they say is true," Dante said considering Frank before him. "Of course, your brother has played his part in ruining an admittedly flawed plan."
"A flawed plan which has resulted in the loss of too many lives," Frank bit out, angry at the mention of Joe, "my brother just wanted to get those people out there home to their families."
"And what, dear boy, about my family?" Dante said. Obviously losing his cool slightly. "Carlos isn't going to be kissing his mother goodnight tonight either is he?"
"Joe had nothing to do with that!" Frank said almost wildly. He did not want Dante to focus his attentions on Joe right now. Not with the fire that was burning in his eyes.
"Your brother was in contact with the police."
"He was contacting me!" Frank yelled.
"No matter," Dante said, finally bringing his emotions back under control. "Contacting the police, contacting you. It's all one and the same. Carlos is still dead because of it. Actually, Lance shall we bring Hardy junior in and have ourselves a little family reunion?"
Dread filled Frank at Dante's words and he felt completely helpless. There was nothing he dared do or say to dissuade them bringing in his brother when they were surrounded by guns. He flinched slightly as he heard a grunt from the waiting room as Joe was hauled to his feet and pushed into the ward.
Joe staggered in through the doorway woozily, his left arm still clutched across his chest but a look of grim determination on his face. A look which sent a bolt of fear through Frank. Joe glanced up and Frank shook his head imperceptibly, communicating silently with his eyes,
Behave yourself little brother.
Joe smirked mirthlessly and he shot a wink at Frank before moving to stand beside him and face Dante for the first time.
"Howdy."
Dante's eyes narrowed slightly at the jovial greeting before a chilling grin spread across his face as he took in the dishevelled young man before him.
"Nice of you to join us Mr Hardy."
"Oh I've been here a while, we just haven't had the chance to chat," Joe replied quickly "may I just say, the hospitality in this place sucks."
Joe! Frank thought, internally fighting with the need to clip Joe on the head. Why must he forever be saddled with someone eternally intent on getting himself into trouble.
"I'm very sorry you feel that way Joseph," soothed Dante "Lance, how about you show Mr Hardy just how sorry we are."
Frank only had a moment to shout "no!" before Lance stepped forward and smacked Joe across the face, opening the split in his lip once again and sending another river of blood down his chin. Frank stepped in to intervene but the shadow of Nick crossed the doorway, shaking his head and motioning the older Hardy back to his spot with his gun.
The blow had knocked Joe's head to the side and he took a moment to shake off the waves of nausea before returning to a standing position and looking Dante in the eye once again.
"Not exactly four star is it Frank, but I'm sure it'll do for now," he bit out, turning his head and spitting blood onto the floor.
"I thought so," Dante replied with another smile. "Now what an interesting situation we find ourselves in gentlemen."
"You're kidding yourself if you think the Chief is going to offer more to you just because you got the two of us dude," Joe said cocking an eyebrow.
"Ah my dear boy, I think you're underselling your worth."
"I'm inclined to agree with my brother," Frank said although exasperated with Joe's wording. It was like he was actively trying to get himself killed. "We're going to be just another couple of hostages for him to worry about."
"Gentlemen, I don't think for a moment that your dear old father is going to let the Chief get away with not offering the very best for your return," Dante said with another shark like grin.
"Unfortunately for you our dear old dad is away right now," Joe said, shooting back his own grin.
Dante's smile stayed in place though the edge of his mouth twitched a little as his eyes bored into Joe's reading for the truth in his words. Eventually he found what he was looking for when Joe's gaze didn't flinch.
"No matter then. Putting on a show for the Chief using the two of you will still carry more weight than any of those nameless faces out there and I'm sure he won't want to have to deliver the news of your untimely demise to Fenton in any case. Like I said, underselling your worth."
Taking a deep breath he heaved himself up the pillows he was lying on, obviously in some discomfort, before snapping his fingers to get Lance's attention which up until that point had been fixed like a missile on the faces of the Hardys.
"Lance. Take these two out front and centre and...convince the Chief that we mean business. Not too much now though my boy, show a little restraint. I doubt he'll be so cooperative were something too unfortunate happen. When he does attempt to contact you, bring the phone to me. It's high time I introduced myself."
Sorry for the delay, I think I've mentioned starting to work evening shifts. Plays havoc with my editing time..
Thanks to everyone for your lovely words! And to my guest reviewer, thank you for your critique. Like I say, they're always welcome and I will attempt to take your criticisms on board as I crack on writing more in the future.
All comments and critiques are, as always, welcomed with open arms!