And Love
Chapter 21 Kidnapped?
MacDonalds Parking Lot
Jamie and Eddie have just left the address that supposedly was where Kara and Dylan now lived.
Eddie doesn't remember that this was where her BFF lived. And the lady who came to the door was someone Eddie had never seen. Now they were waiting for word from TARU regarding facial rec results.
"I'm hungry."
Jamie chuffs out a laugh.
"Well, here I am sitting still, looking at the golden arches, what do you expect?" Eddie smiles innocently.
"Oh, it took the golden arches, did it?" He smirks.
"Drive thru, please." She leans over and rests her cheek on his bicep; looking longingly up at him.
He chuckles, shakes his head and starts the car. "Ok."
She's so got him!
They come to the ordering window. "Two quarter pounder meals, with cheese and cokes, please." Jamie hands over a $20, accepts his change and pulls ahead. After getting their food and handing it to Eddie, he pulls ahead out into the parking lot.
Then he sees her – the woman from the house. She is marching towards them, waving her hands. Jamie sees a bulge in her pocket that he just knows is a gun. There is a large man just behind her and to her right. A scowl on his face. TROUBLE!
"GET DOWN, he yells at Eddie as he punches the accelerator. The two step apart, but not enough. The car clips them both, sending them spinning and their weapons flying. (Both had drawn at the first sign of the car rapidly approaching them).
Without looking back, Jamie peels out into the street and away from there. Eddie is on the floor, trying to protect their food and drink.
"What the hell, Reagan? Are you crazy?" She stuffs 3 FF into her mouth.
"The lady from the house, and a man. NOT DYLAN. Armed and advancing on us!"
"Oh, where are we going? Jamie, the girls!" She cries out.
"Exactly! We're headed for Bay Ridge, the back way."
He dials Pops and places his phone in the cup holder.
"Jameson, is that you? Your father-
"Pops, just listen. We stumbled into something. Secure the house, lock it down! Take the girls with you, into your old office. Call for NYPD back-up STAT. I will call dad. Hurry," he ends the call.
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BAY RIDGE
After locking all windows and doors, with the girls watching with big eyes and open mouths, GG calls.
"Girls, I want to show you my old office. Where I used to work from home. Gather your books and toys and follow me, please."
After the y have dropped their things in his main floor office, GG asks whether anybody needs the BR. They do, and it is taken care of. The girls settle on the giant brown leather couch while he makes his calls. (He secured the girls first).
"Baker here, is this Henry?"
"Yes, may I talk with Francis? It is urgent."
"Yes, just a moment."
"Frank here, what's up Pops?"
"Jamie just called. Something about he and Eddie stepping into something. He ordered me to lock down the house, and call for NYPD protection. Do you know what's up?"
"No, what is your status?"
"The house is locked down; the girls and I are safe in my old office."
"Why are the girls with you?"
"Eddie and Jamie were going to visit Kara's husband Dylan. Something about him not visiting Kara in 5 months."
"Damn, that's bad."
"Yes, it is," Pops agrees.
Baker interrupts, "Commissioner, TARU on line 3. They say it's urgent."
"Ok, just a moment. Pops, I've got an urgent call, let me know if you hear more." The PC switches to line 3.
"Frank here, what's up?"
"Commissioner, we've got a problem." The TARU tech says.
After listening to what facial rec found based on Jamie's cell phone photo, all Frank can say is "Damn kids. What have you stumbled into!"
"Baker, call for my SUV and detail. And get 2 RMP's to cover my house STAT!"
"On it, sir!"
Frank Reagan grabs his tan overcoat and heads for the elevators. As he passes Sid Gormley's office he shouts, "Sid, with me NOW!" Lt Gormley grabs his gun, shield and jacket and hustles after his boss.
Once in the car Frank explains. "Jamie sent TARU a photo. Facial rec came up with one Kelley O'Brian."
Sid looks at Frank like his boss had grown an extra head. "THE KELLEY O'BRIAN?"
"Yes, her!" Frank nods.
"But this is the USA?"
"It was when I woke up this morning."
"She's been barred entry." Sid exclaims.
"That's what I thought, too." Frank hisses.
"Sir, we have a problem." Sid stares at his boss.
"Very astute, lieutenant," Frank growls.
They drive on, reaching the Reagan home in 30 minutes.
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They find 2 RMP squad cars parked on different approaches to the house. The officers are out of their cars, carrying their shot guns and patrolling about. When they see Frank, they stop and come to attention.
"As you were, continue your duties," he tells them. They continue moving about, staying alert.
As Frank and Sid approach the back door, Jamie and Eddie drive up. Jamie pulls the car close to the back door and he and Eddie get out. She is carrying what is left of their lunch; she does not look happy.
They all enter the kitchen and look around the empty appearing house.
"Pops! Girls!" Eddie calls out before Frank can stop her.
"Mommy!" Mal exclaims as she rushes into Eddie's open arms; Mary Rose is right behind. Jamie joins the group hug! Daddy escorts his little family to the sunroom where Eddie corrals the girls onto the couch.
"Babe, can you stay here with the girls? I'll see what's up, and share everything with you when we are out of their hearing."
Eddie nods, trusting him to do just that. Jamie returns to the kitchen.
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When Jamie reenters the kitchen, he finds that 2 FBI agents have joined the party. Agents Bill Holden and Linda Larson. After introductions, the interrogation begins.
"Where did you take this picture?" Agent Holden begins.
"Excuse me-
"Please answer the question, son." His dad implores.
"Ok, Eddie and I were going to visit Kara Walsh's husband, Dylan. Her rehab facility had given us his, or their address. The rehab facility had told us that Dylan had last visited Kara 5 months ago. Eddie was going to kick his ass."
Some chuckled, not the FBI agents.
"And this lady opened the door, correct?" Agent Larson surmised.
"Yes."
"What did she say?"
"That Dylan, her husband, wasn't home. And she asked who this Kara was that we were looking for. We didn't tell her who Kara was."
"And you saw her again later, correct?"
"Yes, in a MacDonald's parking lot."
"Please describe that encounter for us," Agent Holden instructed.
Jamie was starting to feel like a suspect.
"What's going on?" Jamie comes back with.
"Just answer the question," Agent Holden snaps.
Jamie crosses his arms across his chest and remains silent.
Frank and Sid look at each other, then at the FBI agents.
"Bill, why don't you share what is going on with Lieutenant Reagan, or shall I?" Frank comes out with.
"Go ahead," Agent Holden growls.
Frank does; "Lieutenant, you stumbled upon, and took a picture of Kelley O'Brian. She is the top recruiter for Sinn Fein. Apparently, the radical political wing of the IRA is attempting to reconstitute itself. She is under ban from entering the USA; apparently, she has slipped through. Now will you describe the 2nd encounter?"
"Yes, thank you for lifting the suspect shroud that had surrounded me." Jamie glares at the FBI agents. Sid choked back a laugh.
Jamie goes on to describe the MacDonalds parking lot encounter. The agents look askance at each other. "You are fortunate to still be alive, Lt Reagan."
"I'd say that applies more to them, sir. Except I was merely attempting to get away; not take anyone's life."
"Well said, lieutenant," the PC interjects.
"So, now what do we do?" Sid Gormley asks.
"Is this the address of the house, and the MacDonalds?" Agent Larson asks Jamie, showing him a piece of paper.
"Yes, ma'am," Jamie confirms.
"We have agents scrubbing both scenes,' she explains.
"Have you found Dylan?" Jamie inquires.
"Not yet."
"Might he be at or near the rehab facility?" Eddie suggests as she enters, the kitchen.
"Who is with the girls?" Jamie whirls around.
"GG." Eddie calms him. He visibly relaxes.
"Where is that?" The agents ask.
Eddie rolls her eyes! She gives them that address. Agent Larson exits the kitchen to make a call.
Jamie also exits, he stops in the far corner of the LR. He calls Hillcrest Rehab. Nurse Marilyn answers.
"Marilyn, have you seen Kara's husband Dylan?"
"Yes, he took her out in a wheelchair for some fresh air. They've been out for 20 minutes or so. Why?"
"There could be trouble. Can you have someone check please, quickly?"
"Yes, can you hold on?"
"I will hold." He walks back into the kitchen, looking grim.
"What's the matter, babe?" Eddie asks.
He shakes his head, asking for quiet. He puts his phone on speaker.
Marilyn is back in 5 minutes. "We can't find them. They are not anywhere around the facility. But we have GPS trackers on all our wheelchairs. Give me a minute and I'll turn that tracker on."
Jamie puts his phone on mute. He asks the FBI agents if they have agents at the facility.
"Close."
That really helps!
"I'm back, Mr. Reagan-
"Jamie, please."
"Ok, Jamie. It looks like they are headed for the Staten Island Ferry."
Jamie looks to the agents. "We'll cover the terminal on the island," they say. Agent Holden sends a TXT.
"Why would they bottle themselves up like that?" Frank asks out loud.
Noone has an answer.
"Marilyn, can you stay on the line and keep us updated?" Jamie asks.
"Yes, I will. No change of direction yet."
"2 Agents at Hillcrest." Holden announces. "They will search inside and out."
"Did you get that, Marilyn?"
"Yes, I see them beginning their search. I'll give them Kara's room number." Silence on her end.
"I'm back, Jamie. GPS steady on course."
Eddie is standing in the back, hugging Jamie tightly. She speaks up, "That van will arrive on the island, when you open it, the wheelchair will be empty."
Everyone turns and looks at her.
She shrugs, "That's what I'd do."
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TBC