Any fans out there doing Ramadan too?
I probably should've included not coming on this site in my fast but yeah…yah know.
This doesn't have any of your fav ladies in it, unfortunately, but it's a key piece to something that's been brewing. I had an interesting time writing it as I forgot my Law & Order characters and had to research them on Wikipedia last minute *rolls eyes*…
Anyway, this is now a triple crossover.
I just hope you guys know, or at least once watched, the show "Scandal" as there will be a guest appearance. Don't say I didn't warn ya (ehhm, Shonda Rhimes note from last time?).
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT! LOVE THE COMMENTS! PLEASE FORGIVE THE LATENESS!
Mistakes are mine. DON'T OWN, DON'T SUE.
SNATCH CHAPTER 15
DAY AFTER – 9:45 AM (LONDON TIME) * 3:45 AM (NY TIME)
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Blood.
Pete froze in the midst of pouring in-house crafted tomato sauce into a jar. Beside him one of his chefs stopped dicing red onions long enough to shot him a quizzical look.
"Eh…Boss?"
The usually upbeat restaurateur did the strangest thing, Pete slowly turned towards the door with his dark eyes wide as if in fear. He slid the pot back onto the stove and dropped his hands to his side. His eyes were focused straight ahead, his pallor the likes of a zombie.
"Blood." Pete repeated.
Rorschach patterns composed entirely of tomato sauce spotted the front of Pete's work apron, the sauces red coloring was eerily reminiscent of the crimson bodily fluid of mention. By now the entire kitchen was looking towards their boss with a mixture of fear and confusion on their faces. Eye's still wide, Pete pushed away from the table and swiftly walked from the kitchen to the front of restaurant. The cheers of happy customers and FIFA fans greeted him along with a clutch at his wrist.
"Babe, what's wrong? What's going on?"
Leena had been working at the till with a new recruit. She was showing the young waitress the proper way to calculate the tips, but whatever vibe her husband was feeling was so intense, she literally felt the apprehension of his aura long before he stepped foot out of the kitchen. His aura was a plethora of shades, all of them dark in meaning, and they were coursing though his body likes a circuiting bullet. Right before her eyes, Pete was trembling all over and there were dark lines formed beneath his eyes. Looking at him, this revelation was like his last but far worse.
"Something really horrible is about to happen. I can just–
An expression akin to surprise flashed across his face and Pete cut off clutching the center of his chest.
"Pete!"
Leena surged forward to grab onto her husband before he fell to the ground, FIFA was all but forgotten as those seated at the table sprung to their feet to help the couple. Leena tried to look into her husband's eyes, but they were rolled to the back of his head like he was having a seizure. Wishful thinking on her part, Leena glanced around for the familiar faces of their medically trained regulars. Amongst those that huddled, there was no one she knew.
"Somebody, call the ambulance!" Leena yelled.
Phones were fumbled for and twittering broke in the back of the crowd. Already whispers of a heart attack had passed and people were drawing in closer for better looksies. Leena squeezed the fallen restaurateurs' head between her hands. Her normally gentle touch was controlled by fear as she shook him so that he could revive.
"Babe, please stay with me, open your eyes Pete, open your eyes!"
"Pete…!"
Pete seemingly gained some of his consciousness as his eyes opened slightly and he squeezed onto Leena's hand. Terrified beyond words, Leena held onto him tight as she looked into his eyes, the usually childlike man looked as if he'd aged several years within a single moment.
"Tell Wolcott. Tell Mrs. Frederic."
"Tell them what honey?"
"Blood."
At the utterance of the word, the brown skinned woman looked as if she'd blanched. Pete's eyes were watery, his clutch on his wife's hand was fading.
"So much…So much blood."
Pete's hand dropped to the ground.
.
Though the surgery was hours ago, the light still hurt his eyes.
When Todd awoke from anesthesia there was a nurse hovering over him prodding him with her fingers as she adjusted his IV cords and checked his bandages. She told him that he had visitors from the NYPD and that they needed to speak to him ASAP. The knot that was in his stomach prior to finding out he needed surgery returned, this time it was more severe. Todd never liked working security. Yesterday's events just reinforced his theory.
A heavy binder was dropped on top of the mobile tray beside his bed, sketched on its white paper was an image of a woman in charcoal and pencils.
"Like this?" Detective Eames asked.
One look at it, Todd's patience ignited into frustration.
"No, no, no, it's all wrong! Everything about it's wrong!"He pointed at the figures chin and directed up towards the eyes and nose, "A little less here, and the eyes, it's just not right."
The young guard huffed and pushed away the table. He regretted the action as his face was sore and the motion was a jolt to his damaged nerves. He'd spent a good portion of the night and part of his morning lying in a bed at the New York-Presbyterian. A group of interns stood around his bed as a doctor showcased how to properly reset a broken nose. Through the anesthesia he tried to remember all that was being said, but his head was pounding from when a knee had collided with his face last. Today, his face felt like a giant purple bruise. He was grateful for the steady IV drop of painkillers, but it couldn't get into his bloodstream fast enough. The slightest of movements made the skin around his nose ache and the gauze was already itchy.
Detective Goren was standing against the wall across from him, he'd been eyeing Todd suspiciously ever since his entrance. He was freakishly observant.
"So let's rewind the reel, you just came off break, the system crashes, you try to over-ride it, a riot breaks out, and some crazy lady turns into Jet Li and charges the place. " Detective Goren was clutching his stubble covered chin, he released it and pointed at him with an shaking finger, "You don't know what that sounds like to people's ears, you arriving and you hacking the system when it first crashed. The timing was too perfect, the cameras are wiped and you are one of the few who remembers a female attacker yet doesn't remember what she even looked like."
"I know, I know." Ignoring the pain, Todd squeezed his hands over his head. "Can you just give me a minute to think? I can't even think with you keep asking me questions and shoving things in my face."
Silence fell as the two detectives exchanged glances, the woman detective stood up from her position along his left and exited the room. A few minutes after she left, a young male nurse stuck his head into the room.
"Did you gentlemen need anything?"
"No we're good," replied Detective Goren.
"Ok, ring the buzzer if you do. Someone from the nurses station will come down." said the nurse.
Upon the nurse's exit, Todd released his skull and shifted towards the door. The guy looked no different than anybody else but his presence awakened a forgotten detail. Todd pointed a finger towards the door and turned to the detective.
"He had an accent," he stated.
Detective Goren folded his arms, "So I heard, sounds like he's from London's Southend. Ever been?"
The security guard numbly shook his head and replied, "Have you ever watched that show The Taste?"
Detective Eame's re-entered the room, she heard what he'd said coming back to her seat.
"Come again?" she said.
Newfound excitement colored Todd's face, "The Taste! That woman judge, it was her!"
"The Taste?" Detective Eames repeated.
Detective Goren waved his hands, "It's a reality cooking show, used to come on in the fall on ABC. It was hosted by these 4 world class chefs, and the premise was their teams would compete over who has the best tasting dish."
"Yeah, yeah, that's it!" Todd vigorously shook his head, his pain seemingly forgotten, "You watch them eat, I mean, you watch them cook too. But it's mainly about eating."
"Ok, I get that part, but what does this have to do with this case?" said Detective Eames.
"That woman who broke into the bank looked like her! That lady judge!"
Detective Goren leaned inwards, his expression borderline amused.
"You're telling us that Nigella hijacked the bank and broke your face?"
"Yes, I mean, No!" Todd stuttered, "That woman just looked a little like her. Dark hair, pale skin, dark eyes... They had similar facial structure too."
There was a rustling outside of the room and both detective's turned to the door. As they did so, a brown skinned woman dressed in a trench and six inch stiletto's entered with a heavyset man with a stubble covered face following close behind her. They didn't look like detectives and they definitely weren't officers.
"Sir, Ma'am, excuse me, this is a private room you're both going to have to step out." said Detective Goren.
The woman met her gaze head on, her expression was entirely blank but all the same challenging.
"Unfortunately, that's no longer a viable option Detectives. As of today, my associates and I have been granted full authority over how far this goes and the direction this will take. I'm suggesting that you work with me no questions and give us this room."
Detective Eames scoffed, "And exactly who do you think you are?"
"Olivia Pope and you're speaking to my client."
The name silenced the room. Todd's eyes were officially enormous. He'd read about this woman on a few of his lunchbreaks. There weren't many images of her as she was mostly a background man, but that didn't mean a thing. Whenever there was a high brow scandal it was guaranteed that Pope and Associates may have their name linked to it at some point by the press. This spotlight had even garnered them a nickname on the news and the gossip columns, The Gladiators.
Almost unable to contain himself, Todd expectantly glanced between the detectives. Both appeared to be shocked.
"His client as in his lawyer," Detective Goren looked between Todd and Ms. Pope. "But you've got nothing to do with the law. You're a Fixer."
As if he'd been waiting for a cue beyond the door, a man Todd recognized from TV as the NY Police Chief appeared in the room. The looks of surprise only seemed to have intensified at his presence as both detective's slid their eyes over to him and spoke simultaneously.
"Chief," said Goren.
"Captain?" said Eames.
"Eames, Goren, chat please." the Police Chief waved the duo over.
The two detectives reluctantly stood from their chairs and pulled from Todd's bedside, both passed Olivia and the unnamed man without not even a nod of acknowledgement. Captain Deakins directed the duo down the hall and stopped just before the waiting area. He glanced around once before turning to both detectives speaking in a sheepish tone.
"I forget how crowded this place is even at night." Captain Deakins said.
As if emphasis to the statement, a huddle of teenagers passed them to enter the waiting room. Apparently they were there to support a teammate as they were all wearing basketball jersey's.
"What are you doing here?" Detective Goren asked, his brows were deeply furrowed.
"Yeah, what gives this honor? You haven't set foot on the field in how long? It's been over a decade." Detective Eames filled in.
Their surprise and curiosity at his return was hitting a nostalgic nerve with the Captain, Deakins eyes fluttered shut as he reeled in his emotions long enough to enable himself to speak his command.
"As much as I would love to say I'm out on the beat, this is for an entirely different cause." Deakins eyed between the pair. To the trained observant, there was a tension about him that foretold of the unfortunate long before he spoke, "Of this instance, you're both off this case. Go home and get some rest."
Detective Goren instantly exploded, "We haven't even got that far in and you're asking us to pull out. What exactly is this about? Why is there a Fixer in there with that kid? What does this have to do with anything, she works for the White House!"
"He's one of the best witnesses so far, he recognized the attacker prior to her going apeshit in the bank. He's the best lead we've got in cracking this." Detective Eames filled in.
"Exactly," there was a beat as the older man glanced between them. "That's why I need you both to pull the plug and forget about this all."
The Police Chief made a turn to leave but his detective's weren't having that. Both stubborn to a fault, they hung back against the wall.
"What is it you're not telling us Chief?" Detective Goren looked down at the smaller man, his hands were in his pockets and his eyes were suspicious, "What else went down in that Bank that you obviously know about that we don't?"
Captain Deakins tweaked his nose and looked away.
"Nothing else on this, not even a report. Flush it and keep moving."
"You're not just telling us to drop this case, you're telling us to cover this up!" Detective Eames was appalled. "We've not those types of cops, and you've never been that kind of Chief, why the change now?"
"I'm not telling you to cover anything up, that on your parts is a grave misunderstanding. I'm saying to drop it." Chief stressed the words to the point of exhaustion, "There are other departments that can cover this and as of today, we're not the ones for that. The faster you both leave this alone, the better off the whole department will be."
Detective Goren shook all over as he released a harsh bitter laugh, "Oh ha, so that's how it works now Deakins? We're playing that game with them?" Goren roughly shook his head as if trying to rid a bad taste, "The President doesn't send his men to do his dirty work unless there's obviously something going on, something bigger than the average American citizen." his voice had raised considerably, so much so, the entire waiting room was looking their way.
"Leave it alone Detectives." Chief's voice held a threat, "I'll stand guard in this hall if it means ensuring you both obey this order. Squash it, get yourselves under control, and let Ms. Pope and her Associates work in peace and dignity."
Detective Goren snorted.
"Dignity? People like that, they Fix things, they're the reason why goodguys like us get a bad rep. They're mobsters."
"Bobby…" Detective Eames touched her partner onto the shoulder. He shot her a sharp look for a second but seeing the disappointed look she was giving Deakins, he quickly simmered down.
"Let's go home."
There was a pull before Detective Goren nodded and turned from their Captain without another word. Deakins watched as his two best detectives passed down the hall and entered the elevator. The moment the door closed, the usually stoic Captain allowed the haggardness to show on his face.
Back inside of the in-patient room, Todd curiously observed as the woman, the Fixer, and her unnamed male companion stood silently by the doorway for a good full five minutes before springing into action. He wasn't sure what they were doing but the man had closed the door, checked both the closets, padded down both beds, and scanned the windows and walls with a bizarre box shaped device. Once the man had completed his sweep, he pulled backwards with a self-satisfied expression.
"It's clear," said the man.
"Great. Thanks Huck, you can wait outside." The Fixer replied.
Huck tersely nodded and stepped outside the door. After the door was closed for a second time, Todd quietly watched as the woman crossed the room to the window and peeked outside to the world below. It was roughly four o'clock, the morning sun was beginning it's eastern rise, the streets were mostly empty save for a few cars pulling into the employee's lot below. Over all, it was quiet.
Too quiet.
The security guard realized he was listening to the hum of his own heart and holding his breath after the woman stepped back wards from the window and closed the curtain's three-fourths of the way. She took out a phone and laid it on the table between them, then stood with her arms folded before Detective Eame's old chair.
"Todd Emmanuel Shirley?" The Fixer started.
"That's my name." he mumbled.
"You've lived and traveled here in New York for nearly two years now?"
"Eh, Yes."
"And prior to this, you did some time in a juvenile detention center?"
This question completely threw Todd off his axis. Not knowing how to reply the young security guard simply looked away.
"What for?" The Fixer pressed.
From the tone of her voice, Todd was one hundred percent certain she knew the answer to that question, but he wasn't sure if he should take the bait by answering it. Cold sweat on his brow and his stomach a sack burning ulcer, Todd raked his brain for his plan C but found he couldn't concentrate. All the snapshots of his life's fails refused to stop reeling and instead of helping, it was drawing him into a deeper panic. Apart from being the worst security guard on the planet, Todd had another quirk that probably should've came with his warning tag. All his life, every since he could remember, he always had the uncanny luck of being in the wrong place at the absolute worst time possible. Be it witnessing horrific car crashes, walking in on a home burglary, catching a pervert attacking a defenseless woman… It never, ever, failed.
Just over a year ago, moving to New York was his plan B. He thought he'd finally escaped his old life and fate for good by moving to a new city and becoming just another one of those average faces. He lived his life clean. He didn't cause any trouble. He barely even spoke a word. But now here it was one , single, stupid, stupid thing and his whole world was crumbling all over again.
I am so fucked.
The security guard miserably thought.
His chest now feeling heavy with pressure, Todd fought to keep his cool but the hostility crept into his voice anyway.
"What does that have anything to do with Smithe's?" he threw back.
"Do you want me to help you or not Mr. Shirley?"
The seconds ticked while Todd worked his jaw before responding.
"How can you help me? What is there to help? I've done nothing wrong." he defended.
Olivia gave a little sigh and replied in slightly less businesslike tone, "It was a yes or no question Mr. Shirley and you still owe me the first."
The security guard stared at his hands.
"It was for armed robbery." Todd mumbled.
"Tell me about that," Olivia said.
Todd glanced up in time to witness as her eyes softened. She sat down in the chair opposing him and mirrored his pose. The way she looked at him was almost as if she was his equal, but all the same, as if she had all the authority in the entire world. He caught himself staring and immediately looked away.
"Me and my friend, Danny McGuire, went to the gas station to get some drinks... I was at the register about to pay when he pulled this little gun out and yelled, THIS IS A STICK UP!" Todd sadly shook his head, "I swear to god, I didn't know it was going to happen and when it did, I was too shocked to even get it. It all happened so fast. One minute I was standing there with my mouth hanging open, the next, Danny was shoving Mars Bars and dollar bills into my bag telling me to haul ass."
"How were you found?"
"About a week later," Todd sheepishly shrugged, "The cops showed up at breakfast with a subpoena to search the house for "stolen" goods."
"And you were convicted?"
Todd exhaled a long shaky breath, "Three years for Armed Robbery, I served a year and seven months for good behavior. When I got out I did a little work as a dishwasher for a while then moved here and…" Todd uncomfortably trailed.
"That's when you got into security." Olivia finished, she directed towards him with two fingers pressed together in a triangle.
"Why security?" she asked.
Todd shrugged.
"The pay is OK, I don't have to do anything too crazy."
"But it's not what you had in mind for your life."
"I guess so," Todd murmured.
"Guess so? This is one helluva profession to join not knowing if it's something you want to do it or not, you're putting your life on the line protecting people."
"Yeah well, I'm not really good at it anyway."
"Then why are you doing it?" The Fixer repeated.
"I don't know." Todd exasperated.
"Are you sure about that?" Olivia countered.
Confusion marred Todd's face as he looked at the woman across from him. Though he was in the room he felt as if he had missed something seriously important.
"I don't get what you're implying…?"
Olivia bridged her fingers, "You became a security guard because you wanted to make amends for you and your friends' mistake."
The security guard raised his eyes back onto the woman before him.
"Eh-excuse me?" Todd sputtered.
"That's why you work a job you hate isn't it?"
A small sound came from Todd's throat.
How did she do that?
Continuing to read his soul, Olivia spoke on, "A part of you wants to make up for what you did by dedicating your life to playing a guardian and protector, the antithesis of the crime you and your friend heinously committed. But the real you, the real Todd Shirley, is just a humble man who rather lay low and not fight at all. You're no hero, no saint, you're not even a villain. You're one of the rare individuals who really does prefer the white noise over color tv."
It took a moment for Todd to reclaim his dropped jaw. Once he picked it off his chest, his prompt response was breathless.
"Who are you?"
The corner of the woman's mouth rose in a soft almost sad like smile.
"I'm not a lawyer." she replied.
Todd gulped.
"But I will fix this problem."
Whatever friendly spell that had taken place between them had broken as Olivia Pope tersely nodded, as if she just internally decided upon something, and then shifted in her seat leaning inwards to the security guard. Her demeanor was now very businesslike and startlingly intense.
"When you get out of here, a lot of people are going to want to interview you and know more about you as a person. They're going to ask you questions similar to the one's I just asked and they're not going to be polite. They're going to dig deep in your past, and they're going to want answers,"
Todd's neck bobbed as he fought back nausea at the mere thought of this.
"When this happens I'm not going to be able to be there and protect you, but if you play this by my rules, your vulnerabilities will be covered, Ok?"
"Sure," Todd croaked.
Olivia tilted her head towards him, "First things first, you're not to speak a word of what happened in that bank to anyone, do you understand me Todd?"
The security guard nodded.
"Good. If they ask you anything and there has to be a response, your story goes as follows. You were securing the premises when a terrorist–
"Wait, why not a robber?" Todd interrupted.
"Does your own history not speak?" Olivia patiently responded, Todd dipped his head just slightly at the mention, "The terrorist entered the bank and tried to take some hostages. You fought back and managed to escape with a broken nose. No other harm was done."
Todd was going to nod again, but the look on the woman's face made him feel as if he was to instead repeat the command.
"No other harm was done." he said.
"No deaths." Olivia said.
"No deaths."
"And no weapons of any sort."
"No weapons of any…" Todd's eyes clouded over, he probably was a little slow sometimes but this time he felt he'd caught on. "Wait, someone died? That lady killed someone?"
Olivia shook her head, "No. No lady, no weapons."
"No lady, no weapons of any sort." Todd repeated.
This final line felt like the closure to an elaborate pact. Olivia Pope stood up and stuck both of her hands into her coat pockets.
"Take all the time you need to recuperate Mr. Shirley, even if this means a month or two, the bank is willing and able to understand." she gave him a small courteous smile, "Tomorrow morning some paperwork will be heading your way via carrier. You will fill them out and hand them directly to one of my associates upon completion."
Todd blinked.
"Wait, that was it?" he said.
"Yes. Just do what I said and if you need anything use the phone."
"This phone?" Todd asked, he looked dazed as held up the device in question.
"Yes, that phone. It's yours to keep, consider it an upgrade from your original." The Fixer said with a smirk.
Beyond astounded Todd didn't know how to reply.
The Fixer turned heel and exited from the room, there was a long silence as the young security guard watched until she disappeared from both sight and sound. Todd finally dropped backwards into the bed, he traced his hands over the cell phone. Though he appeared to be examining it, so many different thoughts and feelings were coursing through his body his eyes were unseeing.
What the hell just happened?
Though it was seemingly unrelated, the memory of Myka and Warren Bering posing before the gala popped into his mind. That same trill of revelation from then returned at full strength baffling him even more. Todd wasn't sure what Olivia Pope's motives were exactly, but deep down he'd realized something quite profound.
For the first time in his life, maybe he hadn't been at the wrong place at the worse possible moment.
Perhaps this time was just right.
.
Just before entering the parking garage, Olivia paused and threw a glance towards the hospital's top floor rooms. She could see Todd's room from where she stood, the light was still on and his drapes were pulled just how she'd left them. Satisfied, she entered the garage and used the elevator to go to her assigned floor. As the levels ticked away, she pressed a single button on her cell and pressed it to her ear. On the very first ring, the person on the other end picked up. Skipping introductions entirely, Olivia spoke.
"The ball's in your court."
.
HANG IN THERE FOLKS!
THANKS FOR READING!