Chapter 11

Day 8

Stella tasked Adam with researching all the aliases. It had taken two days for him to put together a document. Ethan aka Joe seemed to have been busy. His social security number didn't raise any red flags but his aliases did point to someone who was good at what he did and showed a man who had spent the majority of the last five years honing his craft.

Joe's business it seems was robbing banks. Derrick, it seems, had contracted Joe into robbing the bank. That was an assumption on their part but based on the evidence, Stella was comfortable that they could make this conjecture. Lauren was Derrick's girlfriend.

Stella had received the warrant a day ago and had sent Danny and Lindsey to the apartment. Lauren's clothes were gone as was her toiletries, all indicative of her not returning. The supervisor was adamant that the rent had been paid for the rest of the month and that Lauren had given no forwarding address or any indication of where she would be going.

Flack had set up men to watch the lockers but so far, neither Joe or Derrick or Stella had shown their faces.

A BOLO was still out on Lauren's car. Adam couldn't find any further evidence of Lauren's car or where it could've gone. It was as if the three of them had disappeared off the face of the earth.

Stella wondered if they had maybe decided to cut their losses and run. If that was the case, their jurisdiction ended with New York. It would become another cold case until such time they would be flagged by cameras or activities on their accounts.

She closed up her office, putting on her jacket as she made her way towards the elevators. They had started to wean Mac off the sedatives as they felt comfortable with his progress. He had started to wake in the last few hours and the hospital had phoned her to let her know that he was off the ventilator and alert.

She would be allowed a fifteen-minute visit which she has also decided to gauge how much Mac was cognizant and whether it would be an opportune type to also take his statement in part while they put together the charges related to Mac's abduction and obvious physical abuse he had suffered under Joe and Derrick.

It took her just under thirty minutes to get to the hospital and it felt so good to finally see Mac's eyes open and aware of who she was. The crinkles around his eyes became more pronounced as he gave her a small wave and a smile.

"Hey," she said as she stood by his bed. "How're you doing?"

"Throat's a bit sore." Mac whispered. Stella gave him a raised eyebrow and a huff as she reached for his hand and gave it a small squeeze.

"Really?"

Mac shrugged with a wince. "Do you have them in custody yet?"

"No." She took a small, deeper breath. "How much do you remember?"

"Most of it." He shifted in the bed, trying to settle. "Things got a bit hazy after I got shot."

"Who shot you?" She asked as she pulled a chair closer.

"Joe. Said it wasn't anything personal."

"Okay." She took out a recorder, showing Mac. "You up to giving your testimony?"

Mac nodded, reaching for the water that stood next to him. He took a sip before indicating to Stella she could switch it on. She noted the date and time with their location and who was present. Stella was determined to make sure everything was above board. She knew that with Mac as victim, she wouldn't be able to share any pertinent information with him until the evidence had been logged and a court case had been set. And that is if they catch the two men and Lauren.

She went over her allotted time with Mac as they went through the testimony. She could see his fatigue when she switched off the recorder. Realised the toll it was taking on her boss and friend.

"Are you going to be okay?" She asked as she put everything away. His eyes were drifting close but he gave her a quick smile.

"Pissed off." The reply was curt. He had clearly reached his limit. "I should've anticipated…"

"Hey…" She grabbed his hand. Held him, her thumb making gentle circles on his skin, hoping it would ground him. He blinked and then looked at her. She could see anger and frustration in his gaze.

"He fooled a lot of people okay. This wasn't on you. Joe is smart. He planned for this. Got someone in to prove he didn't shoot the bank manager. He had an exit strategy all along."

"I should've patted him down before giving him his gun back."

And there it was. The crux of it. Stella could understand Mac's anger at himself.

"True." She said in the end. She wasn't about to discount his years of experience or be dismissive of his feelings. "Tell me, Mac. When you phoned it in. Told us about his family being held hostage. Did you believe him at that point?"

He gave a small sigh. Closed his eyes, his fingers curling around hers. It took about a minute and she thought he had fallen asleep when he opened his eyes. Blue met hers with conviction.

"Just catch the bastards."

"That's the plan." She gave his hand a squeeze, staying until she was certain that Mac was asleep.

Peter could walk without a limp. He was surprised by how quickly the cut on his foot had healed. His dad was doing better, sitting up in the hospital bed and talking to his mom. When he and his mom had finally gone home last night, they had found their fridge full of food and their cupboards stocked. A thank you card had been placed on the counter and he had read it after his mom had given a joyful shriek and gave an impromptu dance in the kitchen.

To Peter

Just a small thank you for what you have done for Mac.

He had never felt so thankful. Even the small savings jar that he had used had been filled with five- and ten-dollar notes. They wouldn't go hungry for a while and his mom hummed in front of the stove as she prepared a meal for them for the first time in a week.

Afterwards, he dished up a meal into a container and took cash from the kitty of the money he had borrowed and made his way down to where JJ lived. He knocked but after no-one answered, he stood in front of the door uncertain on whether to try again. JJ had been instrumental in helping him afford the bus ticket and he had promised to pay him back.

Decision made, he walked back to his apartment and going out the window, he went down the rickety fire escape. The window was closed but he knew the trick to opening it, the way JJ had shown him in the past. Inside everything was dark and he placed the container with food on the empty table.

"What are you doing here?"

He looked up, startled. JJ's mom was in the sitting room, on the couch. Her eyes dark against her skin, almost black in the twilight of the room.

"I brought some food." He said, indicating the container. The money was still stuffed in his jacket pocket and he wasn't about to give the cash to JJ's mom. She would just spend it on her next high as soon as she got it. It would be better to let JJ handle it.

"Where's JJ?"

She sniffed, scratching at a sore on her arm. "He left."

Peter felt his heart thump against his chest. This wasn't good. He knew as much.

"What do you mean he left?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "That boy's always been more trouble than he's worth. What do I care."

Peter didn't bother replying. The indifference was nothing new. JJ had nowhere else to go. And she was still his mom despite her addiction.

"Hey, do you have any cash on you?"

He shook his head, aware of the desperation in her eyes. He wasn't going to get anywhere with her and he made his way out of the apartment back onto the fire escape. The alley it overlooked was already deep into shadows as the sun was going down. He took a deep breath and then made his way back to his own home.

"Mom?" He asked as he entered their home

"I'm here." She was dressed nicely and he looked appreciatively at her. Grateful for what he had even if they never had much in terms of material things. But it was more than what JJ ever had.

"You want to come with me to visit dad?"

He shook his head. "JJ's run away." It was blunt the way he said it and he was surprised at his own honesty. It wasn't the first time either but somehow this feels different than those other times.

"Oh no." Her hand raised, covering her mouth and then she stepped up to him, enveloping him into a hug that spoke of safety. Of love. He didn't want to leave it.

"I can stay…" She says and he sighs. Allows her comfort as everything that had happened seemed to sink in all at once. He shook his head. Felt five again and he remembers the islands and the sun and the way communities came together.

"Mom, I want JJ to live with us."

He doesn't know why he said it. But it felt like the right thing to do. And after seeing the man in the park who gave him food and JJ who gave him the money to buy the bus ticket and now this – what Mac's friends had done for them he was more determined than ever to help others.

He wasn't surprised when his mom went quiet and then she crushed him even closer to her.

"I'm very proud of you." She finally said softly. "I would love to have JJ stay with us."

Peter waited until his mom was asleep before he pulled out the phone he had been given by Stella.

My friend JJ is missing.

He waited, uncertain if it was too late to have sent the message.

Hi Peter. We're aware. We have someone looking for him. How are you doing?

He thought for a bit. And finally decided on a message.

Thank you for the food and the money.

You're welcome, Peter.

He smiled at that.

It would be helpful if you can talk to a man named Sheldon. He's been looking for JJ. I'll ask your mom if that will be okay.

Sure.

Okay. It's a bit late so I'll chat to your mom tomorrow okay.

He switched off the phone. For the first time in a long while he felt content. His stomach was full. He felt safe even with his dad in the hospital.

He was determined to help JJ feel the same.

Flack was frustrated. It was late and he was tired. The last few days were finally catching up with him. He had been in earlier to see Mac. It was good to see his friend awake even if he was pale and withdrawn on the bed. But what he did recognise was the anger Mac held.

It wasn't an emotion he was unfamiliar with. He was careful as he made his way to the security office and showing his badge, he entered the room. The monitors had been set up, three separate to the wall of screens on one wall that covered most of the bus station. Two of his guys were seated, empty coffee mugs in front of them on the table.

"How's it looking here?" He asked as he passed the pizza box to the two guys.

"All quiet, detective. No interest in the locker and no hint of the perps."

He raised eyebrows at the word. Slightly amused as a young eager face looked back at him. He led the word slide, patting the man on his shoulder.

"Okay. When will your next shift change?"

"Midnight."

He nodded at that as he pulled a chair closer and sat down. Staring at the screens. It was surprising that none of the three had gone even close to the lockers since he opened them and found the cash. He was certain they weren't anywhere close during that time. If Joe or Derrick had even shown an inkling of themselves, he would've known. Well…Adam would've known. Whatever smarts he ran on the computer would've picked it up. He was convinced of it.

He mulled over his choices as he grabbed a pizza slice and shared banter with the two guys. His eyes not leaving the screen as he wondered again on how something as simple as a key could bring down a very well-orchestrated bank heist.

Something didn't sit right for him. Indicating to the screen, he turned his head and called out to the station security guy that sat in front of the screens.

"Oi. What's behind that wall?"

The man – as he turned, he saw the name tag of Dave – said, "What do you mean?"

His accent was thick Brooklyn, the pronunciation with its dropped r and distinctive vowel sounds was clear.

"There – behind that wall. What's on the other side?"

"Uh…"

"Is there someone we can call that would know?" He asked. His stomach was churning. Something felt off. The fact that none of the three had so much as shown their faces was suddenly a red flag.

"The janitor might know…" Dave said, a crease between his eyebrows as he tapped on the table in front of him.

"Fine. When's his shift?"

"Uh…" Dave looked down at his watch. "He should be in the south bathrooms."

"Can you get him on the horn?"

"Sure thing."

Flack stood by as the security guard radioed the janitor. It took a good fifteen minutes before the janitor made his way over to the office. He greeted the man whose name was Mike. He was older, weathered and looked world weary. Grey hair stood in tufts around his head and brown eyes met Flack's without any malice.

"Do you know what's behind this wall?" Flack asked, pointing to the screen where his guys were still watching.

"Sure. There's a back alley of sorts. Built in. More of a maintenance nook than anything else."

"Can you take me there?" He asked. Pointing to Matthews, he indicated him with a wave of his hand. "You, Matthews, came with me."

"Sure." The officer stood. Flack looked at the young eager face, wondering when he'd been that young. But he needed backup just in case something hinky went down. They followed the janitor to an unassuming door. Inside was a cleaning cupboard, about the size of a walk-in one you'd find at one of the larger penthouses in New York. He walked to the back and unlatched a smaller door that opened into a narrow-darkened alley. There was a switch on the wall that Mike flipped and a row of three bulbs flickered to life, giving Flack some horror movie vibes. His hand unconsciously landed on his gun and he took a moment to just settle his nerves.

He looked down the corridor. It was empty except for a small pile of debris halfway down the alleyway.

"That shouldn't be there." Mike said, frowning. "Sorry. I was down here the other day and it was clean."

"When?" Flack didn't step in. Eyed the floor as he reached out to stop Mike from moving further down the corridor.

"Two days ago. It cuts moving between bathrooms down probably by twenty minutes. I keep this clean."

"Yeah. I believe you. Just stay there, will you." He said as he stepped away and reached for his phone. It was late. He was aware but he did it anyway.

The phone rang three times before Stella answered.

"Hey, I think I know why we haven't seen hide nor hair of these guys."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. There's a backway, Stella and they went in that way. They know the money's gone. They probably know we're looking for them."

"You at the station?"

"Yup."

"Okay…" He heard a rustle and then a small grunt. "Uh…I'll send…just hold on…"

He waited. He felt slightly guilty for having woken her.

"Okay. I'll send Sheldon your way. Do you need more?"

"No. That should be okay. I just don't want to contaminate anything. I'll wait for him. They're long gone, Stella. I don't see them coming back here."

"Yeah, okay."

He sends the janitor off to do his duties after he had interviewed him. There was nothing more to do but wait and he sent Matthews back to do the shift change. He'll call the watch off after Sheldon did his thing.

He was certain that Joe or Derrick was going to come back here.

"Hey."

He looked up from his phone, coming to a stand as Sheldon entered the room. Flack indicated with his head to the smaller doorway. "Through there. No-one's been in there. Janitor says he keeps it clean. Been through there around 2 days ago."

He knew enough not to give his own opinion or assumptions. The evidence needed to do the talking for them. Based on what Sheldon found, they'll be able to make some very good conjectures. Mac had never liked when he had guessed, going off his gut sometimes. But he also knew that for a lot of police work it had to do with an innate ability to know something wasn't right.

Sheldon clicked on a torch, shining it down the corridor. There wasn't much in terms of footprints. The janitor had told the truth when he said that he kept it clean. Even the odd cobweb seemed to be missing and he watched as Sheldon carefully stepped down the corridor until he stopped just short of the pile of debris.

"Ah yes. I see what they did here." He said as he took the camera from his bag that he carefully put down and took a few shots.

"Care to share?" Flack said, staying where he was.

"They drilled a hole through the stone and into the back of the locker. Big enough to check. Didn't bother after they realised that the locker was empty."

He watched as Sheldon took out a fingerprint kit and started dusting around the hole.

"This is a bit out the way…" He said, eyes narrowing. "The janitor knew about this place. Used it but the security guard didn't know. I wonder how many of the employees use this shortcut?"

Sheldon shrugged as he focused on dusting and pulling prints.

"I'll get a list from Mike…" Flack said as Sheldon finished up. "I'll talk to Stella but I think I'll tell the guys to go home. I don't think they're coming back."

Sheldon nodded as he took samples of the dust and metal shavings by his feet. "Yeah…I think you're right. They have their photo's up at the main office here as persons of interest so I think that would be okay."

Sheldon finished up, gathering all his supplies.

"You want me to cordon this off?" Flack asked as the other man stepped past him.

"No. I've got what I needed and there isn't much more evidence to gather. Is there any footage outside the entryway?"

"I don't know. I'll check."

"Yeah, that would be good. Let them send it to Adam to look at. I'll go log these. Good luck."

Flack looked at his watch. It was just before 2 am. He could feel it in how grainy his eyes were and the fatigue that seemed to settle over him. Coffee wasn't going to do it anymore. He needs to get some sleep in.

He made his way back to the security office and got Dave to get Mike back. It wasn't a long list of people that knew about the corridor. Luck had it but there was a camera that covered the door. Apparently, a few years back there were some guys who broke in and stole cleaning supplies to produce their own version of meth. They were caught after they put the camera up and since then it had been quiet. He had Dave send off a copy of the last two days via a courier to the lab and only then he was ready to leave.

He got home at four and didn't bother undressing as he fell into bed, hugging his pillow to himself. In less than a minute he was asleep.