Command Post
Voights' query to Al about a change of job had been in jest. He had decided however that they needed to get proactive and with that in mind he now watched as two Uniformed Police officers both balanced several pizza boxes as they prepared to enter the bank. His contact with Billings had been brief and to the point. After confirming that there would be no attempts made to breach the bank the Sergeant had stated the welfare of the Hostages meant they needed to be given adequate food and water. Billings had not been pleased with the Sergeants' uncalled for input and initially resisted the suggestion but his reticence was quelled after Voight pointed out if he was taking Hostages with him they needed to be in good condition so they would not slow him down. This had been a calculated gambit on Voights' part. The man had to believe they would be taken off guard by an explosion. The gruff man needed Billings to assume they had no knowledge of the explosives his Detective had alerted them to. Voight was unsure how much time this tactic would buy them but it was better than nothing. It didn't sit well with the Sergeant sending two unarmed Officers into the bank but given Billings' interest in Jay he could not take the risk of sending in any of the Unit in case they had been researched.
Bank
Jay had been caught offguard by Billings' eventual acquiescence to food being delivered. It worried him enormously that the man still seemed unfazed by the stressful situation he had engineered. Unsure who was going to bring in said food Jay had offered to go out and bring it in himself. The offer was made partly to give him a chance to converse with one of the team and also to avoid endangering anyone else. Billings however had flatly refused and insisted only two unarmed Uniformed Officers could make the delivery. Jay too had realized it would be too risky to allow any of the team to enter although Billings hadn't met them all. This meant he could not pass on a message easily to Voight. Of grave concern to Jay was the possibility that Billings, who was neat and fastidious, would at any given time notice the earth deposited on the ground by the flower pot. If the man made that discovery he would have to assume there was a strong possibility Jay had noticed same and worked out where the explosives were hidden. Now with food and beverages being delivered the green eyed man knew he had to avail of the one opportunity to get rid of the incriminating earth.
As Billings strode over to the entrance doors after Voight announced via loudspeaker the food was going to be sent in Jay shared a quick look with Will and Conor before he followed their Captor.
"You Detective make sure none of the Hostages get any ideas," Billings instructed firmly as he gestured with the rifle in his hands, a hint of menace colouring his tone.
"Okay," Jay acknowledged the order flatly as he walked over to where the seated Onlookers silently watched proceedings, the relief he felt was nearly overwhelming but he didn't show it.
"And Detective?"
"Yes?" Jay halted his steps and turned to face the older man.
"After this you get to pick who will be made an example."
This ominous statement didn't need any clarification and it was clear as he turned around and walked towards the Hostages that they too understood the malevolent connotations.
Surveillance Van
Billings' words had struck a cord of fear in all gathered as they listened and once again watched the scenes inside the bank. Voight cursed inwardly. The food delivery clearly was not going to provide much of a stalling tactic as they had hoped. He worried too because their target had no compunction about killing so forcing the young Detective to choose a candidate would likely be, to all intents and purposes, conferring a death sentence on the individual chosen.
"Is the Bomb Squad here yet?" Murphy checked, more for something to say to break the tense silence which had fallen than actually wanting an update.
"ETA ten minutes," Mouse confirmed distractedly without removing his gaze from the monitors he sat before.
"We can't let Jay choose a Hostage!" Adam stated in a half plea, his friend was going to be faced with a diabolical decision.
"Seems like Billings is adhering to a time schedule," Al offered up, it was clear the food delivery was not going to be allowed to deter the man from his agenda.
"We knew that," Voight nodded his agreement then continued unhappily, "just wish we had some way of neutralising the explosives."
"Well since he's talking about making someone an example we have some time to form a strategy," Antonio infused his words with an optimism he didn't feel.
"Don't think the person who's going to be an 'example' would appreciate that viewpoint," Al stated sardonically.
"No one is going to be killed," Voight declared in his most formidable voice, it would not happen on his watch!
Bank
Jay had watched the Officers enter laden down down the pizza boxes and carrier bags containing cans of soda and bottles of water. Once the Officers had deposited the items on the ground just inside the door Billings had wasted no time in ushering them out and locking the doors. It had taken some rumination but Jay had come up with a plan for dealing with the earth. He just hoped his brother and friend would go along without raising any suspicions. Eyeing Billings after the door was locked again he gestured towards the delivery.
"Can they sit up at desks and eat?"
"No. You can play Waiter."
"Wonderful," Jay rolled his eyes but deep down this was exactly what he wanted as he picked up the bags first and checked through them before looking at the Hostages as he retrieved a couple of cans of Coca Cola and held them up as he sent a piercing look to Will and Conor, "who wants some Cola?"
"Thanks," Conor hid his confusion unsure why they should take the drinks and accepted the cans handing one to Will casually.
"There's water or soda so take your pick," the Detective instructed as he went down the two rows of Hostages and held out one of the bags so those on the ground could avail of the refreshments.
"Hurry it up," Billings directed from across the way where he was keeping a keen eye on proceedings.
"Looks like they didn't give much thought to the pizza selection," Jay commented as he opened the first box exposing a cheese and tomatoe offering which he held before Conor and Will giving the cans in their hands a long look before adding, "eat it while it's hot."
"Thanks," the Surgeon retrieved a slice as if hungry although in truth he had no appetite.
"Hope no one is allergic to cheese or tomatoes," Jay joked as he again went down the rows handing out sustenance.
Finally once everyone was eating and drinking he looked in the bags again and retrieved paper napkins.
"Schucks I'll lose my job as a Waiter," the auburn haired man headed back to the Hostages in exasperation and as he crouched down in front of Will he appeared to inadvertently knock the can in his hand sending a fountain of spray onto the carpet, "damn!"
As quickly as he could Jay ensured the Cola soaked the earth deposited on the soft surface and quickly wiped the lot up with a bundle of napkins which he tossed in frustration into one of the now empty plastic bags. Will and Conor knew the mishap had been staged for the younger man was a lot of things but clumsy wasn't one of them. They also knew their curiosity would have to wait to be satisfied. For his part Jay was immensely relieved the offending material was now out of the way. He was about to stand up when he felt the hard barrel of a rifle press down on his shoulder. Giving Will and Conor a reassuring wink he turned to look at Billings.
"Never claimed to be a good Waiter."
"Quit messing!" Billings ordered and gestured for the Detective to rise as he eyed the Hostages speculatively, "they have fifteen minutes then you make the decision."
Jays' heart had skipped a beat at Billings' proximity. For a moment he thought he had been rumbled but it seemed the man was preoccupied with pursuing his agenda. That was both a blessing and a curse. Giving his brother and friend a last look he rose to his feet and began casually placing empty pizza boxes in the bag with the soiled napkins hiding evidence of the earth further.
Command Post
Voight led the Unit out of the surveillance van with a determined look on his features.
"What are we going to do Sarge?" Adam quickly asked, he needed the older man to find a solution before his friend was forced to choose.
"Billings obviously wants Jay to feel responsible for someones' death," Antonio noted.
"But he already established that he has been responsible for people dying in Afghanistan," Kevin shook his head in disagreement.
"This is more up close and personal," Al put in softly, there was a huge difference between taking someones' life from behind a rifle scope at a distance and doing so in person, maybe that was the point.
"He's testing Jay," Parker added, he had to agree with the moustached man, "seeing how far he can push him."
"We can't let Jay decide!" Adam insisted fervently.
"Well the evacuations are being done on the basis of a possible gas leak ....," Voight reminded but poised in what he was about to say as the Bomb Squad vehicles arrived duly camouflaged in the guise of gas company vans, "let's continue to check out escape routes for Billings. Ruzek I want you Dawson and Attwater to check out the subway .....,"
"Sarge we already checked it," Adam interrupted.
"Check it again. He has to have a plan made and we need to be ready."
Adam considered arguing but a warning look from Al stayed that idea. He knew Voight was right. They needed to be able to intercept Billings if the worst case scenario happened and he detonated the explosives and escaped.
Joe Masters had just taken over as Team Leader of the Bomb Squad and for his first day he was being thrown in at the deep end. Not only had he to hit the ground running with a team he was unfamiliar with but they had been asked to conceal their identity, another first. As he looked around he was satisfied that at least a suitable cordon had been set up. They had passed numerous news vans on the way in and several news choppers hovered overhead. He hadn't been given any specifics yet and hoped to obtain same now as he advanced on the grim looking group at the Command Post.
Subway
As Adam accompanied Antonio and Kevin through the subway inhabitants he voiced his displeasure.
"This is pointless. Besides if whoever is working with Billings sees us he's going to tell him what we're doing."
"Adam," Antonio placed a firm hand on the other mans' shoulder to halt his steps then reminded patiently, "we've been over this. Billings would expect us to check for exit routes. It's normal procedure."
"But we're not supposed to know about the explosives."
"Whether or not there are explosives exit routes would be checked," Kevin put in, "you have to trust Sarge. He knows what he's doing."
"I know ...," Adam sighed in defeat, "it's just .....,"
"Hey man we're all worried about Jay. We're going to do everything we can to get this sorted without him getting hurt."
Adam looked at his two friends seeing the sincerity in their features and knowing they shared his concerns. They were right. He had to trust Voight.
Bank
Inside the besieged financial institution things had taken a decidedly dark turn. Once the remnants of the makeshift meals had been tidied up by Jay under Billings' watchful eye the man had once again reverted to his order. He coldly reiterated that he expected Jay to pick a Hostage and when the Detective tried to stall the older man had simply raised the ever present weapon in his hands and suddenly lifted the butt up and struck the auburn haired man across the face drawing blood. Will and Conor struggled to remain seated but both men knew their interference at this stage would only compound matters for Jay.
"I'll count to ten," Billings stated ominously as he dispassionately watched the Detective wipe the blood away from his right cheek, "after that every minute you hesitate a Hostage dies."
Jay knew the threat made was not an idle one. He had to do what the man wanted .....
tbc
