FanStory.com - In Plain Sight by Begin Again

Lena, looking pale, slid the phone over to Jack, who then showed Rylan. They both looked concerned and confused.

Jack could only think of two possibilities. One thought was that one of the cops that arrived at the helicopter scene was dirty but he did not believe that to be true. His second and more realistic thought was that her phone had a GPS tracker in it.

He slowly opened the phone and extracted the SIM card. Sure enough there was a very small device attached to it and he recognized it as a tracker. Thankfully, he knew the model. It only tracks, it doesn’t eavesdrop.

His mind started racing, thinking of all the times Lena had been followed from the time she went undercover on her own at the restaurant to being followed to UVA’s. But how did someone get to her phone without her noticing? Davidson? Or someone she thought she could trust?

He didn’t think it was Davidson as he had come clean and had trouble following through on attacking Lena because of his attraction.

The only time she was without her phone was when she worked out and then showered in the Women’s Locker Room. The Women’s Locker Room had a code to get in and the only two women who accessed the locker room were Lena and Marie, the Captain’s secretary.

Marie would do anything for O’Malley. She followed him as he climbed the ranks. He thought about how she acted around him. Bending over his desk, flaunting her cleavage and laughing at all his horrible jokes. She would bring him homemade soups and desserts. And stay late on nights he worked late. His stomach felt queasy at the discovery but his mind was certain.

After what seemed like an eternal pause, he spoke. “The phone has a tracker in it and I think Marie planted it one day when you were in the gym shower. You were the only two with the code and it was the only time you were without your phone. It’s likely she was having an affair with O’Malley based on all the dots I just connected.”

Lena, feeling sucker punched, and Rylan sat there stunned at Jack’s logical but unexpected theory. “Wow, that is certainly an interesting idea and I do leave my locker unlocked because I really thought I could trust Marie,” said Lena. “I mean we went to happy hours pretty often, I went to her baby shower and I felt like we had a genuine connection. Another thing to add to my list of mistakes.”

Rylan spoke up. “Well, we don’t have time for Monday morning Quarterbacking. We must focus. I don’t see them doing anything to us while we are in a police station. But we are certainly not safe here forever and certainly not when we leave. I suggest we spend the next several hours finishing my reveal of everything on the flash drive, what I learned from my interviews with Reyes, sadly our only solid lead, and discuss our next steps.”

Jack stood up and stretched.

“I don’t know about you Lena, but I think it’s time for a second cup before we hunker down. Caffeine is calling me.” She nodded at Jack and they went to the coffee bar.

He grabbed her hand for a second and said, “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.” She looked comforted and her shoulders relaxed a bit. Inside she was thinking how could she ever have doubted him. He was her rock.

In addition to the spreadsheets that detailed vigilante activity, Rylan showed them evidence of illegal searches and false witness and police reports and other illegal activities all stored as pdfs on the flash drive.

Lena asked, “Who gave you this flash drive?”

“Well, actually Jack stole it from O’Malley’s coat pocket one night and gave it to me at UVA’s but Reyes is the one who compiled it,” said Rylan.

“Well, how did it wind up in O’Malley’s pocket?” Lena fixated on answers.

“I’m afraid that’s one detail we may never know as Reyes and O’Malley were the only two with the answer. We could sit here and pontificate how it got there but at this point it’s a waste of time.”

“So Reyes was collecting evidence on your behalf? I can’t believe you trusted him,” said Lena quizzically.

“Reyes was a corrupt assassin who justified his actions by targeting ‘bad guys.’ But seeing them go after you and Kristi changed everything—he wanted to make things right. He risked everything to gather evidence against O’Malley and the network. I didn’t expect that from him.

So, because he was lethal with a gun and without, he was hired by O’Malley to be the Manhattan vigilante. After one attacker survived, O’Malley lost faith in Reyes, making him feel like a liability.

Let’s take 15. Don’t relax too much. Danger is imminent and we need a solid plan.”

Jack and Lena got their third cup of Donut Shop Medium Roast and conversed at the coffee bar. Rylan was at the white board writing bullet points. Then he looked around the conference room, much nicer than theirs. This had a long wooden table, leather swivel chairs, and a nice coffee bar. Beats metal and instant coffee.

“It’s time we bring this ring to justice,” said Lena with strength and conviction returning to her voice.

“Yeah, we just have to do it right this time.” No sooner did he utter the words did he regret saying them.

She immediately looked pissed off. “Are you talking about the Simmons case I screwed up where I implicated Rylan and he lost his reputation and job for years? Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to look at him without being consumed with guilt?” Her mind circled back to when she unknowingly inserted a false witness report into evidence at that trial.

“All right guys let’s resume, coffee talk is over.” Jack desperately wanted to apologize but now was not the time. He looked over at her and she looked liked a wounded bird. When will he learn how to talk to a woman, especially her, without pissing them off.

Rylan took command at the white board where he had drafted a short list of bullet points.

“Before turning to the bullets, Reyes gave me a very important piece of intel before he died. Tomorrow there’s going to be a meeting of the four ring leaders from the other boroughs and the mastermind. Apparently they need to regroup since there have been many close calls lately.” He paused.

“Well, Jesus, Rylan thanks for all the notice. I feel really prepared now,” said Jack with his usual sarcasm.

“They don’t give much notice about these kind of meetings. Not something you’re going to find in Things to Do Around Manhattan. Reyes just told me a day ago,”Rylan quipped. “They are meeting at the Union Club, a members only club, at 7 PM.”

He took a breath and then pointed to the white board. “First we need to immediately place the tracker in an unmarked car so who ever is here staking us out will start following the car on a wild goose chase. However, we have to assume there is more than one car staking us out so we need to plan a fool proof exit strategy.”

He paused for a second, lifted the tracker carefully, and then banged loudly on the door. An officer, clearly a rookie, came to the door, took the tracker in the palm of his hand with his eyes wide open and said he would follow Rylan’s directions to the letter. The officer looked like he was carrying a martini filled to the salty rim as he walked down the hall. Rylan found it briefly endearing that he took his job so seriously.

Rylan looked back at the whiteboard and proceeded. “Ok, back to exit strategy. Jack, any ideas on how we get out of here without being noticed?” Jack did appreciate how Rylan valued his opinion.

“First of all, we need an individual exit strategy for each of us. If they see three people come out, even in disguise, it will tip them off.

I’m thinking Lena, we make you look like a roughed-up arrestee, with messy hair and wearing a shapeless jail uniform with handcuffs on and have you get in a police car and take you to another police station also out of the city and then we will meet up tomorrow once we figure out those details. What do you think?”

“I think that is solid and a good idea to transfer me to another police station,”Lena said with confidence, masking her apprehension.

“Rylan, this may be a little more risky but sometimes doing things right out in the open are overlooked. I think you should dress in full Captain uniform, hat pulled down, sunglasses, and walk right out the front to a luxury sedan with dark windows waiting for you with the engine running. Driver will take you to a hotel room back in Manhattan near the Union Club. We will use that as our command center.”

“I think it is a bit risky but I’ll do it.” Rylan, while a seasoned cop, had butterflies in his stomach.

“As for me, I think I should stay here to minimize exits from the building.” Lena and Rylan nodded in agreement.

Just as Rylan was about to talk about plans to ambush the meeting, there was a really loud knock at the door. All three of them jumped.

An officer walked in with a rolling tray of deli sandwiches and sodas. “Delivery guy said Lena ordered these for you all.” He started to walk in. All three of them couldn't believe the scare tactics. Message received.

“Oh, thanks but we changed our minds. Please take them away,” said Rylan masking the surprise.

The officer, looking confused, did what they said and walked out.

“Shit,” said Jack. “They’re really trying to intimidate us. Time is of the essence. We need to put exit plans in motion now. Lena, prepare a list of what we need, including three police grade encrypted tactical walkietalkies. No more cell phones.” Now was the time for absolutely secure communications. Their lives depended on it.

Rylan spoke up. “We will meet at my hotel room at 0600. Every minute counts tomorrow.” Rylan knocked loudly on the door. An officer came in and Rylan asked him to stay and work with Lena to make his hotel reservation, arrange logistics to transport Lena, and get stuff for disguises.

With that, they looked at each other and they all took a deep breath and exhaled together. They all knew the stakes were escalating. Jack felt an adrenaline surge, ready for action. Rylan was cerebral, trying to start thinking of ambush plans. Lena’s stomach was churning, but she was ready to take them down.

Will they survive the night? And if they do, will they uncover the mastermind and ring leaders and live to tell about it?

The three of them walked at a regular pace, despite their urge to run to the dark luxury sedan waiting for them. Once in the car, the officer hit the gas and got them to The Union Club in five minutes. Their hearts pounded faster and faster with each traffic light they went through, getting closer and closer to their destination.

During the short ride, Rylan used his walkie-talkie and radioed Jersey Captain Mark Prescott. Prescott patched in, "We have no time; I identified NYPD Police Commissioner Evelyn Cross as the mastermind."

"Cross? You sure?" inquired Rylan. Jack and Lena overheard and said, "Jesus Christ," in unison.

"Yes, it took me a minute, but she's been on the news lately pitching her community policing initiative across the boroughs. I'm 100 percent positive. She used an alias at check-in, which cinched it for me. There are also four other men already in the room on the top floor with an overlook of the city. This makes our party of five."

Rylan, digesting this surprise reveal, said, "I guess it makes sense it's her. She became more vigilant against crime after three of her officers were gunned down in a drive-by. Apparently, she's taken matters into her own hands and is also making a profit from it."

Prescott picked up where he had left off. "When you get here, enter on the loading dock and take the freight elevator to the third floor. Conference room 3B. A female officer disguised as an AV tech will be there to let you in. All equipment is set up. Contact me when you're in the room. Over and out."

Rylan realized the gravity of the situation. Taking down the Commissioner had no room for error given her authority and power. He had to be prepared to go head-to-head and not back down, despite knowing how ruthless and intimidating she was.

She took great pleasure in firing him after the Simmons debacle. Now it was payback; nothing would bring him greater happiness than to take her down. And it was going to happen.

Realizing there was no time for these thoughts right now, he immediately turned back to Jack and Lena as the driver pulled up to the loading deck. "Okay, it's go time. Remember, we're a team. No lone heroes here. Understood?" Rylan looked directly at Lena, ensuring the message was received.

They entered the building and made it to Conference Room 3B without incident. Rylan called Jersey Captain Prescott on the concierge phone so as not to compromise his cover while Jack and Lena examined the audio and recording equipment. "We're in position," said Rylan. "Give the thumbs up to the room service cop to plant the recording device."

"Will do. The cop will let us know after he plants the device and is safely back in the kitchen." He hung up the phone.

The cop took the service elevator to the top floor with his food cart and looked for the room while constantly glancing over his shoulder. The hallway was clear, so he proceeded quietly. He found the door to their room and slipped out the device and adhesive that were hidden on the serving shelf underneath the tablecloth on the cart to affix it to the door.

He was just about to stick the tiny device near the peephole when, without warning, the door next door opened, and two men laughing walked outside.

The officer grabbed the device and moved nonchalantly down the hall. Lena, Rylan, and Jack were on the edge of their seats. Captain Prescott was on standby to take action if the officer's cover was blown.

The gentlemen talked at the elevator until it arrived, then got in and disappeared. The officer went back, finished the job, and made a beeline for the kitchen. Phew. That was a little too close for comfort.

When he got back to the kitchen, he said through his earpiece that he was safe and that stage of the mission had been accomplished. A collective sigh was felt throughout the team.

Rylan thought of his three-pronged strategy and checked off the first step: "infiltrate the club." Now, it was time to "gather the evidence." His mind returned to the task at hand, where the three of them listened to the audio feed coming from the party of five on the twelfth floor.

They were mid-conversation. The Commissioner was speaking. "I want to halt vigilante activities across the boroughs. Ever since Reyes blew it by leaving an attacker alive, we are vulnerable."

An unidentified corrupt cop interrupted. "And O'Malley getting caught keeping the detective and her friend hostage was a huge breach in our operation. We had no choice but to get rid of him before he spilled the beans in exchange for immunity like Davidson."

"Speaking of Davidson, how worried should I be?" asked the Commissioner, showing a chink in her steel armor.

Another rogue cop spoke. "Not too much. He knew very little and only thought O'Malley was corrupt. We are meticulous about how much information the low-ranking officers know. It's truly a need-to-know basis."

Back in Conference Room 3B, the three of them were very satisfied with the evidence they were gathering. Rylan said, "Let's listen for about 15 more minutes and then we move in."

Jack looked ready to pounce as he double-checked for his gun and perched on the edge of his seat.

Lena was thinking about how important these next few steps were. She had had a thirst for justice ever since the Simmons case and wanted to do right by Rylan given their history and his skepticism of her as a team player.

However, what broke over the audio feed next brought them immediately back from their own thoughts.

"What time are we expecting Bob?" Commissioner Cross asked. "I want him to run an article in the Post that I craft about how we've seen a decrease in vigilante activity and that I'm attributing it to my community policing initiative."

Jack, Rylan, and Lena couldn't believe what they were hearing. "Holy shit, they've got someone on the Post planting stories." Rylan stopped talking as a response came through the audio feed.

"Bob is parking. He'll be up in a few," said yet another unidentified corrupt cop.

"Excellent. Let's take a short break until he comes up," remarked the Commissioner.

Rylan, trying to retain the calmness of a leader, was clearly rattled by how the reporter's arrival would disrupt the operation. "We have to think fast. It's too risky to send the cop up to remove the recording device; you know the reporter will find it on the door."

Just as Rylan said that, a loud thump came across the audio feed as the reporter crushed the recording device, and then the audio feed went static. The operation was blown, and now they were totally in the dark.

Rylan immediately phoned Prescott down at the concierge desk, his pulse beating hard. "Operation blown, device found."

Prescott, an expert tactical leader, said, "All stairwell exits were sealed earlier, but the elevator needs to remain unlocked for other club members to exit. Tactical teams are on standby in the stairwells on the 12th floor. I can have them move in ASAP. You have the key card to open room 1205 for a surprise attack."

"Great. Yes, have teams on standby to act on my command. Jack, Lena, and I will confront them in the room." The moment had come, and he was going to execute the plan with precision and walk out with her in cuffs. No other option.

Prescott, trying to ground Rylan, said, "I know your beef runs deep with the Commissioner, but you need to be level-headed, detached, and unemotional. You'll have your moment. Get off on eleven, take the stairs, and stealthily approach the door. We are on standby."

"Understood. Let's do this." And they ended the call. Rylan felt the weight of the situation on his shoulders as the stakes continued to rise and the confrontation was mere minutes away. His life and reputation were on the line. AGAIN.

Jack looked at Lena and thought he would do everything to protect her. Lena looked back at Jack with trust in her eyes as if she could read his mind.

"Okay, remember teamwork," said Rylan. "No rushed moves. Lena, you flank the left side of the door. Jack, you flank right. When in position, I'll alert tactical teams to come from the two stairwells and line the hallway ready to storm the room."

Rylan felt like his heart was in his throat, but he was ready. "Okay, let's do it!"

They looked at each other, showing their resolve and support for one another. The tension around them was palpable, but so was their camaraderie. With that, they swiftly exited the conference room, took the elevator to eleven, climbed the final flight of stairs to twelve, and were relieved to see the tactical team in place. They paused before they opened the door. Their collective heartbeats echoed through the steel stairwell.

"Okay, it's go time. Make a right, and it's the fifth door on the left, room 1205. Remember we're in this together. No margin for error. Let's go catch the bastards," Rylan said with a commanding voice that invigorated Jack and Lena.

Rylan slowly turned the handle and peered down the hallway. It was eerily quiet. They walked as if on air so as not to make a sound. Within no time, they were in position outside 1205. Adrenaline was surging from all three of them.

Rylan inserted the key card and watched as the light flickered from red to green. Then the click of the door released, and Rylan was just about to give the tactical teams a heads-up for backup when there was a high-pitched sound on their earpieces and then nothing.

They had lost all communication with the teams. Since they had already unlocked the door, Rylan couldn't use the walkie-talkie to reach Prescott for fear of being overheard by the Commissioner and her associates inside the room.

Rylan held his fingers up, 3-2-1, and he forcibly swung the door wide open, and they stormed in.

"What the hell?" Jack said in disbelief, looking around at an empty room. He felt a slight breeze coming from a cracked open sliding glass door leading to the rooftop. There was a little patio with a few bistro tables and chairs, but mostly it was a typical rooftop with electrical boxes scattered big enough to hide behind and an outdoor encased stairwell also to hide behind.

Jack and Lena looked around in dismay, and they both felt their stomachs churn. Lena looked around at all the laptops, thinking about the evidence they hastily left behind.

Rylan, without hesitation, radioed Prescott on the walkie-talkie and filled him in. Prescott said, "Shit, I have no way to quickly alert teams. I'll have the front desk and room service cops climb respective stairwells and tell teams to move in ASAP. But it's going to take time."

"We have no time to wait; we're moving in on the rooftop," said Rylan.

Lena, overhearing this conversation, thought, now who is being the lone hero?

"That's not a good idea, and you know it," emphasized Prescott.

"I've made my decision. Alert your tactical teams when you can, but we're going for it. Over and out."

Jack felt a pit in his stomach at Rylan's decision. He knew Rylan was letting his personal vendetta get the better of him and was compromising their safety and the potential for a successful operation. But he would follow orders.

Rylan started to give instructions when all of a sudden the sliding glass door shattered from gunfire. Jack immediately flipped the conference table, and the three of them took cover behind it. But this would provide only temporary protection.

Rylan, trying to gain composure, said, "Jack, I want you to kill the lights so they can't see our movements, and then we will move outside."

Without hesitation, Jack crouched down and did as ordered. He dodged some bullets, safely turned off the lights, and returned to the hiding spot.

Rylan, immediately switching to tactics, said, "Okay, from the way the glass shattered, it is clear they fired from the left of the rooftop. I'm sure the Commissioner and reporter are taking cover behind the staircase structure because it is the largest hiding spot and furthest away. The reporter is unlikely armed, so he is probably with her." Rylan's intuition was rarely wrong.

He continued, "We shoot to the left until we've each taken cover. Then I will slowly advance from one electrical box to another while you two cover me."

Lena and Jack nodded in agreement while trying to keep their hearts in their chests. Rylan gave the "go" sign, and they moved out, shooting their guns.

The crackle of rapid gunfire broke out from both sides, and the smell of gunpowder filled the air. It seemed like an eternal 20 seconds before Lena, Jack, and Rylan were safely in position.

Jack, looking from behind his cover, noticed he had injured one of the corrupt cops. He saw him lying on the roof, grabbing his shoulder and rolling back and forth from behind one of the electrical boxes. One of the other rogue cops ran to his side. Jack fired at him too but did not make contact.

Jack thought, "One down, five to go." Adrenaline pumping.

Rylan sent a hand signal that he was going to advance towards the outdoor stairwell and confront Commissioner Cross.

He moved swiftly in a crouched position, advancing two electrical boxes while rapid gunfire was exchanged. Jack and Lena had his back with nonstop gunfire.

He made his last move and got to one side of the outdoor stairwell. While excited to be in a position to take her down, he was also very vulnerable without anything to hide behind. He had to rely on Jack and Lena to protect him if necessary.

Ready for the moment, Rylan yelled, "Commissioner, it's over. Now you'll get to feel the disgrace you put me through. Tactical teams will be here in a second, so you'll be completely outnumbered. Kick your gun around the corner, and you and the reporter come out slowly with your hands up. You're already in a whole mess of trouble, so I don't advise adding killing a cop to your list."

He felt redemption was just moments away now that he had her cornered. Just don't screw up now, he thought.

After a very long pause, the Commissioner yelled back, "You know I could offer you a lifestyle beyond a detective's wildest dreams if you drop this right now. Call off the operation."

"You really have lost your mind. I would never touch a penny of your dirty money," said Rylan. "Save your manipulation tactics for some other sucker. And good luck using your power for a reduced sentence. You delighted in my demise; I have no mercy and will make sure you never see the light of day again."

Rylan was about to continue speaking when the tactical team stormed the rooftop. There were some desperate shots from the remaining adversaries but they knew they were overwhelmed and surrendered in moments.

Jack and Lena emerged from their hiding spots, cuffed the corrupt cops, and placed them under arrest. Prescott, now on the rooftop, called for an EMT to come get the wounded cop that Jack had shot.

Lena felt vindicated. She remained a team player. No heroic moves, and she backed up Rylan.

Jack felt satisfied with a well-executed operation, bringing the first step toward justice for these criminals. He was relieved that nothing happened to the team, especially Lena.

The Commissioner, finally facing reality, kicked her gun around the corner, and she and the reporter walked out slowly with their hands up. Jack and Lena were now next to Rylan. Jack cuffed the reporter, read him his rights, and placed him under arrest. Lena gave Rylan a quick pat on the back.

Rylan approached the Commissioner slowly, enjoying every moment, and with great pleasure said, "I've waited seven years to say this... you're under arrest, you son of a bitch." He grabbed her, turned her back towards him, and cuffed her tightly.

The officers took the Commissioner and the other cops away. Prescott approached Rylan, Jack, and Lena. He firmly shook Rylan's hand. "Though I was doubtful, this ended up being a brilliant strategy. I hope we never have to do something like this again, but I would work with you again in a heartbeat. Congratulations. Lena, Jack, great job!" Prescott returned to his teams, and soon they were all gone. The EMT removed the wounded cop.

Just the three of them were left on the rooftop. They hugged each other until the adrenaline had drained from their bodies. Rylan, the first to speak, said, "I am proud of you guys beyond words. Lena, you proved to be a top-notch team player. Feel good about yourself. Jack, your tactics bringing down one of the bad guys immediately spurred our operation into action, putting them on the defensive. Great job.

I want you guys to take the next two days off. On Saturday, come to my place, and we'll go out on my boat. Have a few beers, some good food, and relax. And that's an order."

"Thanks, Captain. It has been an honor to work with you. I'm glad you're getting the vindication you've waited for for so long. Definitely count me in for Saturday, especially if Lena wears a bikini," introducing some much-needed levity to the conversation.

"I'll wear a bikini if you wear a speedo," Lena shot back. Then turning to Rylan, she said, "Like Jack said, it has been an honor. Thank you for giving me a second chance to redeem myself. Not everyone would have trusted me again," she said, holding back tears.

They hugged each other one last time and exited the rooftop. Mission accomplished.

What's next for the three of them career-wise? Will the NYPD survive given the depth and breadth of corruption? And what happens next between Jack and Lena, if anything? Read the final chapter to find out.

Author Notes

Well, I hope you find the take down worth the wait. Can not wait to hear your thoughts.