A/N: FYI language warning in this chapter.
Chapter 16: In a Pickle
"WHY?" Walker barks out "So you can kill me first and take them? I don't think so." He adds before just pulling the trigger.
On instinct, Jamie and Eddie split and both dive for cover in opposite directions. Jamie pulls his weapon but Walker's repeated firing is being aimed in his direction so he remains behind cover waiting for Eddie to cover him and return fire.
…But that cover doesn't seem to be coming…
"Eddie!" Jamie calls out.
The next second a shot is fired in Walker's direction. It misses him but he wises up realizing he's the one about to be ambushed standing between two people behind cover with guns so he moves to swipe up the drugs and high tails it away.
Noting the silence, Jamie quickly bobs up to see both Walker and the drugs gone so he comes out from his spot "Eddie!" he again calls.
"Jamie." Eddie's distressed voice sounds.
Zeroing in on his wife's voice, Jamie rushes to her spot only to find her still sitting on the ground, her gun in her right firing hand, but her left hand clasped over her right upper arm and a little blood seeping through between her fingers.
"Oh my god Eddie." Jamie breathes out in dismay as he quickly tucks his gun away.
"He got my arm." Eddie explains in pain as she watches her husband kneel beside her.
"I see that." Jamie admits as he prepares himself to try to get a look at the wound and the second he even touches Eddie's hand over top of it she hisses out in pain.
"Did… did I get him?" Eddie winces out trying to focus on anything other than Jamie looking at her arm.
"No…" Jamie admits as he places her hand back over the wound "Keep pressure on it." he instructs as he moves to help her up "But you scared him enough to take off so let's get out of here and get you some help before he comes back."
"Help is good." Eddie mutters out as she relies on Jamie for support and they slowly make their way back to the car.
"Give me your jacket." Eddie requests as they go.
"Are you cold?" Jamie states in alarm noting that's a sign of shock.
"No." Eddie replies with a slight shake of her head "I don't want to get blood on the seat."
"But you're okay getting it on my jacket?" Jamie can't help but counter.
A small but painful smile threatens Eddie's face "I've been telling you for years you need a new one remember?"
Jamie begins to quickly shrug his jacket off "Hell of a way to get me to finally give in Eddie."
"Jamie we can't go to the hospital." Eddie points out as Jamie gently drapes the jacket around her shoulders trying not to aggravate the injury more but Eddie winces anyway "It's a bullet wound." She continues "They have to report it and Walker…"
"I know Eddie." Jamie concurs as they head for The Chevelle "But we have to risk it. I'm not letting you bleed out on me."
….
Walker sits in his vehicle agitated and fuming trying desperately to figure out what to do next.
Suddenly he just repeatedly slams the steering wheel with his hand "Shit, Shit, SHIT!" he berates himself when over the radio comes "All units we have a report of shots fired in the vicinity of…" and suddenly it hits him – he had an entire police force at his disposal he could get to do his dirty work for him so he pulls out his cellphone. Maybe he could kill two birds with one stone – use Jamie and Eddie as his scapegoats to get Caitlin – and them - off his back so he picks up his phone and dials.
"Hi this is Lieutenant Walker. I need a APB put out for Jameson and Edit Conners – use any force necessary to apprehend them - they are wanted in the deaths of Sergeant Thomas Reagan and his wife Kathleen Reagan."
Now he just had to make sure that 'any force necessary' translated into Jamie and Eddie coming out in body bags so they could not dispute his claim…
…
Dressed in her civies, Caitlin is just coming out of the locker room of the 3rd precinct after her tour to see hustling and bustling everywhere and she starts to grow concerned "What's going on?" She inquires to the first officer she sees passing her.
"Just came over the wire." The officer replies "It's all hands on deck. We have a man hunt on our hands."
"For who?" Caitlin inquires.
"The people that killed your parents, Reagan."
Caitlin's eyes go wide "Who?" She demands.
"Jameson and Edit Conners." The officer replies.
Caitlin's wide eyes turn to complete confusion because Jamie and Eddie weren't even in town at the time of her parent's death...
"No that can't be right…" She mumbles completely under her breath to herself before again address the officer across from her "On who's order?"
"Above my pay grade." The officer admits before starting to back away and leave "But reports are two people fitting their description – one with a possible bullet wound – are at Albany Medical Center." They add before just hurrying away.
Caitlin simply stares at the departing officer a moment in thought. Her gut told her something didn't add up here. Caitlin knew Jamie and Eddie were undercover officers and she'd interacted with them on multiple occasions - intentionally murdering ANYONE, let alone her parents, is not something she could see them doing so she spins on her heels and rushes back into the women's locker room. She makes a beeline for her locker, flings it open, yanks her bullet proof vest out, flings the door shut and rushes back out of the door.
…..
Nathan is in the entertainment room of the Meretti house playing while Charlotte lays on the couch watching TV. She looks at her watch "You have five more minutes." She warns the boy "Then it's time for bed."
Suddenly a breaking news report comes on.
"This just in…" A news anchor begins to report right as Joe walks into the entrance carrying a bowl of popcorn "Police are looking for two suspects – Jameson Conners and Edit Conners…"
Joe abruptly stops walking and stares at the TV.
"… wanted in the murder of Police Sergeant Thomas Reagan and his wife Kathleen…" The anchor continues as Joe tilts his head slightly and his eyes go wide as he stands rooted to his spot intently listening in order to gather as much information as possible.
…..
Jamie stands off to the side in a curtained off emergency room cubicle watching as a doctor assesses Eddie's wound.
"Okay you got lucky." He narrates "No major arteries, muscles or bones hit. Our biggest concern with an injury like this is infection so we'll clean this up and get you some stitches."
"Wait so it's more like a graze?" Jamie asks in relief and a bit of surprise "I mean the blood…" he adds while Eddie hisses a little in pain as the doctor starts to clean the wound.
"Well, it's a little deeper than just a graze." The doctor explains as he carefully dabs "That's why you saw the blood you did but you kept pressure on it and it's mostly stopped now so like I said, you got lucky." He reiterates as a nurse pops in "Doctor." She requests "Could I see you for a moment please?"
"Bit busy at the moment." The doctor mutters annoyed at being interrupted.
"It's an emergency." The nurse insists.
Lifting his head the doctor sighs "Here just hold this to your arm." He instructs Eddie as he applies a sterile piece of antiseptic gauze to her arm "I'll be right back."
"Um okay." Eddie mutters as she reaches up with her other hand to apply pressure just as Jamie's phone rings. He pulls it out to see Joe calling "Hell…"
"Where are you?" Joe demands cutting him off.
"Long story." Jamie begins not really wanting to get into it – they were only in a curtained off area with people all around them "And can't really talk right now."
"Then listen!" Joe again interrupts "The entire Albany police force is looking for you and Eddie!"
Jamie's face scrunches up in confusion "Why?"
"Word is you killed Sergeant Reagan."
"I'm sorry what?" Jamie questions back confused.
"I know ironic right?" Joe tosses back.
But then the light bulb goes off in Jamie's brain "Walker." He breathes out in understanding as he moves to the curtain and peaks out to see the nurse, doctor and two security guards talking "Crap." He mutters as he quickly retracts his head and recloses the curtain.
"Yeah." Joe agrees "I don't know what you did but he's clearly trying to get rid of you and using the force to do his dirty work for him so where are you?"
"Albany Medical Center." Jamie replies.
"Why?" Joe apprehensively questions.
"Eddie took one in the arm." Jamie explains as he stands there both talking and thinking.
"She okay?"
"Just a graze." Jamie replies as he suddenly but quickly moves to start swiping up whatever packaged gauze he sees.
Watching her husband's now a bit frantic actions, Eddie grows alarmed "Jamie, what's going on?"
"Tell you in a bit." Jamie promises as he grabs for his leather jacket laying on a side chair.
"You need to get out of there." Joe instructs.
"Yup already figured that out." Jamie replies to his nephew as he cradles his phone to his ear and holds his jacket out to his wife with both hands "We need to leave. Now." He quietly but very seriously prompts her.
Eddie lets out a frustrated breath as she slips her good arm into the jacket and Jamie drapes the other side over her injured arm "I told you it was too risky coming here!" she hushes out.
"Yeah well we had to know what we are dealing with." Jamie counters before turning his attention back to his phone "Joe the Chevelle is parked on a side street near the Albany Medical Center. Grab one of Meretti's license plates - we can pass her off as one of his so she doesn't get seized – I'm counting on you to take care of her – be in touch when we can." He then adds before hanging up, pocketing his phone and moving to help his wife stand "Okay up we go."
"Whoa." Eddie breathes out as the room spins a bit.
"I know, I'm sorry." Jamie apologizes "But we have to move. Just lean on me."
Eddie nods in understanding so cautiously Jamie leans over to peak out the curtain again. He surveys the scene and determines their best escape route is to actually try to sneak away by going through the patient cubicle beside them – they are after all just curtains separating each area – so that's what the couple does.
"Hi. Sorry. Excuse us." Jamie just keeps politely apologizing as they make their way through 4 cubicles "Coming through." He adds as the occupants of each cubicle looks at them in confusion and surprise and when they reach the cubicle right next to the exit to that wing, Jamie pokes his head out the curtain again to see they are now on the other side of the security guards that are now headed in the direction of the cubicle they were in. Knowing they only have seconds before it is discovered they are gone, Jamie quickly helps Eddie out the door and into another hallway…
…..
Joe is already making his way out of the Meretti house as he hangs up his phone with Jamie. He makes a beeline for the garage, opens the door but instead of turning on the overhead light he taps the flashlight app on his phone so as not to draw attention to himself. He makes a beeline for the mechanic's tools, grabs a screw driver and begins to shine his light on the cars surveying them. "That one." Joe mutters to himself as he heads straight for a car who's license plate - unless you were right in front of the vehicle looking it - is pretty much hidden from view. He sets his phone down on the ground with the light aimed as best as he can towards the plate and gets to work on removing it. He is almost done when above him he hears
"What are you doing?"
Startled, Joe looks up to see Charlotte standing there looking at him.
Joe looks at her a second then goes back to his task "What does it look like I'm doing?"
"Removing a license plate." Charlotte replies.
"Then that's what I'm doing." Joe confirms as he finishes his task.
"Why?" Charlotte inquires.
"Why." Joe repeats more as a statement as the picks up the removed plate, his phone and moves to the back of the car with Charlotte following "Well that's a bit complicated." He admits as he sets the items in his hands down getting ready to remove the back plate.
"Try me." Charlotte presses.
"How did you find me?" Joe counters instead.
"You never came back with the popcorn." Charlotte replies "So I went to the kitchen to check on you and saw you out the window about to enter the garage."
"Oh." Joe accepts.
"Now…" Charlotte adds "I answered your question so stop deflecting and answer my question. Why are you removing these license plates?"
Sure… Joe thinks …he could keep dancing around the issue but he didn't really have time to do that so he honestly answers "I need to go save a car."
"Save a car?" Charlotte repeats in confusion.
"Again a bit complicated." Joe repeats before suddenly a thought occurs to him – he would need a second person. Someone to drive back the car that got him to The Chevelle - so without warning he stands and faces Charlotte "Hey wanna go for a drive?"
With only the flashlight of Joe's phone illuminating their faces from below, Charlotte twists her face up in a bit of amusement "You know with the way your flashlight app is casting a shadow on your face right now that doesn't sound creepy at all."
Joe sighs "Sorry." He apologizes as he looks at Charlotte weighing his options in his mind. With so many balls in the air right now he had to be careful. He really did need her help but could he truly trust her? Then there was the fact that having both him and Charlotte suddenly just disappear from the estate could garner unwanted attention but with Tony and Larissa supposedly 'occupied' until morning would anyone else even notice? "Where's Nathan?" He suddenly queries.
"In bed." Charlotte replies.
Satisfied with that answer Joe nods then takes a deep breath and goes for it "Look cards on the table, I need to go save Jamie's car okay?"
"That old blue sporty looking thing?" Charlotte queries.
"It's not old." Joe corrects "It's a classic muscle car known as The Chevelle, and yes."
"Why?" Charlotte inquires.
"Jamie and Eddie are just… dealing with a few things right now and don't want her towed."
"Where is she parked?" Charlotte queries.
"Side street of the Albany Medical Center."
"Okay." Charlotte accepts "But why are you taking these license plates?" She again presses.
Joe takes in a deep breath of air "Boy you ask a lot of questions."
"And you're going to answer them if you want my help." Charlotte counters.
Joe eyes Charlotte but Charlotte holds her ground with Joe giving him back her own challenging look.
"Fine." Joe relents as he crouches back down to get to work on the removing the license plate "I'll tell you on the way."
Watching Joe, Charlotte suddenly inquires "This got anything to do with the APB issued for them?"
Joe cringes a bit then looks up at Charlotte to see her smugly smiling at him.
"Saw that did you." Joe relents as he again goes back to work on the plate "I thought maybe you had left the room."
"No." Charlotte replies "I just laid down on the couch."
"Oh."
"Do you think they did it?" Charlotte inquires.
"NO!" Joe emphatically insists.
"Wow you seem pretty sure." Charlotte notes.
"I am." Joe reiterates "Look, I've gotten to know them." He honestly admits as he finishes removing the last screw. "This is not something they would do so will you help me?" Joe asks as he grabs the free plates and stands to face her.
"Well, I'm still standing here aren't I?"
Joe looks at Charlotte and a smile crosses his face "Yes you are. So let's go!" he instructs as he heads for the door with Charlotte by his side but at the last moment he runs back to the mechanic's tray and grabs another tool…
…..
"Jamie slow down." Eddie pleads as the pair try to navigate their way through the hospital as inconspicuously as possible.
"I wish we could Eddie." Jamie counters.
"But we can't." Eddie knowingly adds as she winces in pain.
"Nope." Jamie agrees "And things are about to get a whole lot harder." Jamie admits as now that they are more alone he begins to explain the situation they are in "Walker just issued a bolo for us." He quickly tries to explain while glancing backwards to see if anyone is coming after them yet "Claiming I killed Sergeant Reagan."
Even in her distressed state, Eddie can't help but huff out a laugh at hearing that "I'm sorry I think this bullet wound is making me delirious because I thought you just said Walker claims you killed yourself."
"Thomas." Jamie clarifies "He claims I – we…" he corrects "Killed Sergeant Thomas Reagan."
"Oh." Eddie more seriously notes "Well that's not good."
"No." Jamie agrees before spotting a "stairs" sign ahead "It's not. Stairs are that way."
"Where are we going to go?" Eddie inquires.
"Haven't figured that part out yet." Jamie admits as they head in the direction of the sign. "Just need to get off this floor and then out of this hospital."
"They know we are here don't they?" Eddie realizes.
"Yup." Jamie confirms.
"Okay." Eddie accepts as she pushes through her pain.
"I'll get you help." Jamie promises "It just can't be here."
"I know." Eddie confirms "But we're on the main floor Jamie how are stairs going to help us?"
"Well they'll have all the main entrances and exits covered." Jamie reasons "But if we go up to the skywalk and cross over to the parking garage maybe we can sneak out that way before they get any manpower over there."
"So up and then down again." Eddie deduces with a sigh at the amount of effort that will take her.
"Sorry." Jamie apologizes as the couple start up the stairs but in her injured state Eddie starts to get winded real quick.
"You know…" Eddie begins out of breath as a door they just passed begins to open "I really miss being able to call for a 10-13 right about now."
"Will I do?"
Startled, Jamie and Eddie whip their heads around to see Caitlin standing there…
…..