Peter's pov
I was so mad at myself. HOW, as a future half-Reagan NYPD cop, did I let myself be kidnapped?! UGH! And these knots and cuffs are proving to be impossible to escape. Oh, and the not-so-minor fact that I was poisoned with an unknown toxin and was going to die in t-47 hours. There's that, too. I quickly stilled as Storm Slayer, actually a yet-to-be-named member of Mano Sangriento, that Mexican drug cartel and gang that's been targeting Uncle Danny approached.
"Hello, Peter. I can't wait to make your mother suffer."
Defiance in my veins, I spat in his face, which, not to my surprise, earned me a punch to the mouth, my lip now split. This was gonna be a long hostage situation.
Erin's pov
My heart was still racing as my family and Anthony gathered around me to devise the plan to rescue Peter. The kids that were at college did not even know what was going on. Not even Peter's classmates or girlfriend knew. The current plan hinged on Jamie either using his Harvard degree to get intel as Slayer's attorney, or infiltrating his gang as Jimmy Riordan. TARU was still trying to get a genuine trace on Slayer, who was pinging from all over the world. I spoke up, my mother side overpowering my lawyer side
"What if I just exonerated him?"
Even if he was pinned for multiple murder 1 counts. None of them Linda's, though. He just HAD to say 'no cops or no antidote'.
My newfound nephew, youngest decorated detective at 25 serving in the Firearms Investigation Unit, Joe Hill, Joey for short, spoke up
"Or... We go heavy, but inconspicuous. Jamie, me and we also have Danny and Jackie, maybe even Maria and Eddie, but Slayer none the wiser of the sea of blue surrounding him. Danny is too recognizable to any Mano Sangriento, he stays hidden, along with most of our family. Jamie and I go in. Yes, we've fought about how to do things before, but this involves family, I'll follow everything by the letter. I'll just do the long hair bit again and pose as a new thug in town, represented by Harvard over here. We'll see who he brags or confesses to first."
Amidst the seriousness of the mission, the playful nickname for Jamie made everyone crack a smile, even me. And so the plan was set. Dad even called in a favor with some law enforcement officers, former and current, worldwide and we managed to find Slayer and Peter right here in New York. Pops spoke
"Double bluff. We would think he'd done the smart thing and skip town, so he stayed put underground watching us chase him worldwide."
In the following hour, we all had gotten ready, including EMTs for Peter and the rest of our family, should they need it. And then we were off.
Maria, Jackie,Danny and Eddie covered the four sides of the location on the roof, via snipers. I waited with Dad and his security detail, but far enough not to be seen. I started having trouble breathing as Joey and Jamie disappeared into the place where they'd talk to Slayer, legally known as Daniel Mercado. By now, Lara Jean, who was dating my Peter, had joined us; along with her and Peter's friends, Chris, Trevor, Lucas and Greg. The tension was palpable, the racing heartbeats audible. Lara Jean had the necklace Peter gave her firmly clasped in her hand.
Joe's pov
Jamie and I were in, and I looked unrecognizable from the pictures presented to all of New York when it had come out that I was the PC's grandson. Peter was not here, not that we expected him to be. Now we were down to 45 hours, 59 minutes and counting. Giving a groan as Jamie forced me forward, I let out an annoyed sigh as I got into character as Connor Hale, main drug lord of New York City. It was important to keep a bit of truth to every backstory. So mine and my father's middle name as my fake first name, and Hale and Hill were similar enough. Turning to my fake lawyer, I barked out
"Hey, watch it. This shirt costs more than your house!"
Surprisingly, that got Slayer talking
"Lawyers don't get the vibe, hermano. Am I right?"
I rolled my eyes
"TELL me about it."
He stupidly, but luckily, went on
"Like this kid. I got him stashed nearby, got some fenty in him, but real diluted. Figure you picking up what I'm putting down, since you're a jefe in all this, yeah? He's got... 44 hours unless his abogada mamacita lets me walk."
Oh, if I could have grabbed him right then and there... at least Jamie and I were wired, so everyone in the justice system was getting this in real time and surround sound.
Jamie played his part next
"Well, I'm this knucklehead's lawyer, he's done similar stuff. If you need any help, I'm your guy. James Riley."
Mercado smiled
"Thanks a million. So, what did you do, house-costing shirt?"
I smirked
"Murdered the president with my bad batch"
He bought it. Hook, line and sinker. He was impressed. Jamie and I were in.
Taking a breath, Jamie gently inquired
"So, Mercado..."
Slayer cut him off
"Slayer, please."
Jamie nodded
"Ok, Slayer. My apologies. If I'm representing you, I gotta know. Where's the kid? He's not here with you, is he?"
He shook his head
"Under Bleeker station."
It was at that moment that half the EMTs, Erin and Peter's friends headed over there to rescue Peter. We did not even need Slayer's antidote, now that we knew what Peter had in his system. As previously instructed, a cop that worked out of that area came and informed us that bail had been posted for Slayer and Joe both, and they were both free to leave. So the three of us set off to the now deserted quad near where we had encountered Slayer in the area we located him. Now anyone had a shot, including Slayer himself. He went to shoot Jamie and myself, for reasons unknown since we hadn't been made, but then Erin came out of the shadows, along with Danny. In unison, both Reagan's who actually had a beef with Slayer or Mano Sangriento in general BEFORE Peter's abduction and drugging spoke
"Please, don't hurt my family."
Instantly, Jamie and I slid down and ducked for cover as Erin and Danny shot Slayer into oblivion. Yep, even I had long been taught the family code. That meant 'hit the ground because the bad guy is gonna get shot'.
Thankfully, Peter was just fine, and soon able to go home.