From Gun Clips to Money Clips
A/N: Thanks to Long Live BRUCAS for the review!
Chapter IV
"These files are detailed." Hailey gaped at the information present on the USB stick in comparison to their official records.
"Remember, some of it is hearsay or guesses or criminals bragging." Hank pointed out as he stared at the start of their murder board.
"I'm with Hailey on this one." Kim walked back from the printer with a new mugshot, taping it into the next slot on the board. "This guy knows how to research."
"I knew I recognized this guy's name!" Atwater leaned back in his chair, thrusting his fists in the air. "He was a NASCAR driver, going to be the next Earnhardt but there was an absolute shitstorm of bad press."
"You watch NASCAR?" Kim looked over at her more-often-than-not-lately partner.
"I watch shitstorms." Atwater grinned. "It was pretty epic for a few weeks. Can we use this guy? If we arrest him, I can get his autograph." A glare from his boss had him ducking back to his research.
The clang of the gate at the bottom of the stairs signaled the return of their other team members. The conversation floated up as they climbed.
"I mean, I've tried in the past, but how do you keep it from itching?"
"I dunno, I've had mine for so long, I don't really remember that stage. You might be able to rub some moisturizer in there or something."
Jay was rubbing his smooth cheek with an unsure look on his face as his head appeared over the steps. "I'm going to have to warn my Mom."
"Doesn't Will have a beard?" Adam's head appeared as well.
"It's more scruff than anything."
"What about when you were in the…"
"I shaved, okay. I took the time." Jay cut off his question with a sigh.
Hank met them at the top of the stairs with his arms crossed. "You know Ruzek, if you follow Frank's MO, you're going to have to shave your beard off at the end."
Adam's eyes widened and a look of horror crossed his face. "No, maybe really short, but I'm not taking it off."
Kim and Hailey shared a look and held back their smiles. And the boys would roll their eyes when Kim agonized about cutting her hair to shoulder length.
"Okay, let's run the crews first and then we can cover how it went at the bank." Hank jerked his head towards their murder board, now covered by mugshots or DMV photos.
Ruzek started. "There are six slots to fill. First, the safety deposit boxes which will be me. Second, wheelman for the getaway. Third, one to cover the lobby and office area. Fourth, to cover the stairs and safety deposit boxes. Fifth and sixth will load the money out of the vault with the manager."
"If we put one of us in the lobby, we can have eyes in there. Jay goes in to cover the stairs and boxes which means he can watch Adam's back. That leaves vault, lobby, and wheels." Hank eyed Adam, waiting to see if he would try to argue…again. They'd had another fight in the apartment with Adam stubbornly trying to be the only one going in. They'd gone round and round until Hank had finally yelled 'enough' and used his dad-voice on his uncooperative detective. Hank needed to follow up on that conversation one-on-one.
"We narrowed the list down, eliminating anyone that was incarcerated already. We have a few options." Hailey pointed at the first slot on the board filled with a blurry surveillance camera still. "The Bryne brothers. They cut their teeth robbing banks in Ireland at the tail end of the Troubles. Neither side claimed them so it seems they took advantage of the chaotic situation. They were finally run out of all parts of Ireland to the US and stayed with what they knew.
"They're surprisingly professional. No one has ever been killed during robberies that have been connected to them. Some broken noses, arms, and one or two unconfirmed bullet holes if you branch out into the rumors."
"Never convicted?" Kevin asked.
"No, it seems Boston came close but the evidence was stolen before the case could go to court." Hailey gave a shrug. "They really only have one skill. I think they'd be best for the vault."
"Two guys who already know each other and what to do. I like them." Hank gave a nod of approval. "Next?"
"Escanto Ortiz." Kim pointed at the next slot. "Failed boxer that is covering his bills as an enforcer for hire. There are a few warrants over his head so this could be a way to get him into custody finally."
Voight peered at the scowling man in the mug shot. "Any documented anger issues?"
Kim shrugged. "I don't have an accurate list of all the jobs he's worked, but the ones I can find went fine. He should keep his cool in the lobby if there's a big enough payday as a carrot."
"No one else?" Jay asked.
A shake of Kim's head was followed by her running down the list taped below Ortiz's picture. "Jail, jail, dead, on trial, possibly hiding in Uruguay, dead. Enforcing is a tough place for a long career. He's our best, and possibly, only option. It's actually good that you're going in because the other list was worse."
Voight noticed Adam stiffening. He almost wanted to poke his problem child a bit more by suggesting they send Atwater in to cover the lobby but he decided to pass on pushing him that far.
Atwater stood and loped over to the board. "That leaves the driver. I'm still narrowing it down, unless…" He turned to look at his boss who narrowed his eyes. "Nope, I'll need more time to vet them all properly."
"Okay, how did it go at the bank?" Hank turned to Adam and Jay.
Halstead started. "I stayed in the car and double-checked the exterior security specs. There are no additional measures on top of what Frank has already covered. It's a bit concerning how close the local precinct is to the bank. I don't think we can risk warning them that we'll be pulling a job like this but we'll need to slow down their response time."
"I have an idea." Voight rubbed his chin "I don't want to spread us too thin so we may need to grab some more personnel. Jay, see if that Torres kid is available to be scooped for an operation. He might be perfect." After a confirmation nod, "Adam?"
Ruzek took a deep breath. "I went in and asked to see the safety deposit boxes. Frank rented one back when he started planning the job and put his and a second alias down as the authorized visitors." He pulled out a UC wallet he'd grabbed from his stash. "This dude has everything. There was a couple of out of state driver's licenses with the same name but no picture, a printer, and the heat sealer set up in the apartment. I just had to pick one that basically matched my height and weight, added the picture, and I am now Don Smythe." He smirked, "But I go by Donnie."
"Thank you for the update. The box?" Voight steered his back to the point.
"Right, I showed them my ID and signed the little card. Frank explained his whole intricate system of how he laid the groundwork for this second alias, but the short version is he had the bank mail the signature page to himself and I had to sign the card the same way." Adam shook his head. "Took him like ten minutes to describe that. Anyway, the box just has some random papers in it right now. There was a manual for a microwave in an official looking envelope and a hockey card that is definitely not worth any money in a fancy plastic holder."
"How do you know it's worthless?" Kim asked.
"I have three of the same one in a shoebox in my closet."
"That's what's in that shoebox?" Kim looked like she had to rethink some things. It had crappy sports cards?
"And last but not least," Adam dug something out of his pocket and held it up triumphantly. "A copy of the master key for all the safety deposit boxes."
"Whoa, how did he get that?" Hailey stepped forward to look at the clear key.
"Hired a thief to make a copy and then put it in the box. Apparently, there were a nun and priest involved? Doesn't really matter. The important part is that the master key is very detailed whereas the owner's key is just a normal key, which I can pick. You'd never be able to pick the master lock."
Voight nodded, pleased with the progress that had been made. He'd floated their target's name past a retired Vice cop to see what kind of organization they were up against. She had barked out a laugh and then offered her file box of notes. He wasn't quite her white whale but she did offer to buy the entire team a night of drinks if they could put him behind bars. 'Cocky and smarmy' was how she characterized the guy; but also 'careful and sneaky'.
"Let's confirm the driver," Hank looked at Atwater. "Hailey and Jay, review the timing for police response and compare it to what Frank has timed out for the job. Check response times from that precinct to see how much time we might need to buy with a distraction. Kim, I want you to pull as many personnel files on the bank employees as possible. Make sure there's no one who could be on someone else's payroll – ours or criminal. I don't want any surprises on the back end." Finally, he turned to face Adam. "I put in a call to Platt to find you some test safety deposit boxes. Spend the rest of the day picking the locks until you can do it without thinking."
"Boss, I think there's other things…"
Hank cut him off with a wave of his hand. "You'll be under stress and against the clock. Grind it into your muscle memory. Try to get the lock at the same height that it is in the vault. If you're going to be spearheading this op, you'll have to focus on more than just the pick during the real thing."
This order was very sensible, but it didn't stop Adam's lips from thinning under the pressure of him holding back his retort. He gave a quick nod and then turned back towards the stairs and Platt. Progress. Maybe.
"Go." Hank waved his hand at the group and went to his office.