Part9

Angel watched from her chair as Harvey and Frank continued their discussion on the other side of the room. She couldn’t hear much, but what she was able to make out frightened her. Going after Chambers was a dangerous task and she knew full well that there was a chance her brother could get hurt or worse. Struggling a bit, she made it to her feet and walked towards the two men.

“Angel sweetie, you should go sit down.” Frank began to move towards her. She waved him off and kept going.

“Whatever you two are planning, you can’t do it alone. What do you want me to do?” They both stared at her dumbfounded at the courage the young woman showed.

“Easy now woman. What makes you think we can’t handle this?” Harvey watched her reach into the desk drawer.

“It’s actually quite simple Harvey. We all want the same thing, and together we have a better chance of getting out of here. Besides if Chambers is planning to do this thing tomorrow, he won’t likely let anybody leave here to easily.”

“She has a point Leek. He’s not gonna let me leave without a good reason.” Harvey stared and looked at the two of them and sighed.

“What did you have in mind?” He saw the slight grin come over Angel’s face and he knew she was up to something.

***

It was cold in the tiny apartment and Jerry was trying to hide his fear. He was sure his mommy would be back soon, but she had been gone for so long and he was really worried. She had left him alone before, but never for this long. The little five year old sat patiently at the kitchen table and looked at the clock and then out the window. He got up to go to the bathroom when he heard a knock on the door. Thinking it might be his mommy having forgot her key again, he went to answer it. Two uniformed policeman stood there staring down at him, and he smiled back at them.

“Where’s your mom kiddo?” one of them asked

“She’s busy.” he replied trying to shut the door. Carefully one of the officers stepped in the door before Jerry could shut it and a frightened Jerry ran to the his bedroom. Not meaning to scare the boy, the officers followed after him trying to assure him they meant no harm. Before they could get to him, a crash came through the front window, and a bullet pierced the mirror above the couch. The first officer drew his weapon and moved slowly towards the window. The other also drew his weapon, but headed for the door he had seen Jerry run into. Jerry was curled up in a ball under his bed crying. The shots had frightened him as much as the officers entering the house, and he wished his daddy were there to protect him. After checking the area the first officer went to help get Jerry from under the bed. It took nearly an hour to retrieve the frightened youth from his room, and when it was done they took him to the station and put in a call the Nash.

***

“What happened!?” Nash shouted into the receiver. “He was alone...Did you get the shooter?...Have you found his mother?...Okay...keep me informed...Thanks again Captain.” Nash hung up the phone and shook his head. At least little Jerry was safe for the moment, but they didn’t have the shooter yet, so he was still a bit nervous. The last thing he wanted was to have to tell Harvey something bad had happened to his kid. Rachel walked up behind him and he jumped as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

“What’s going on?” she asked

“The Seattle PD got word that there was a prowler around Anna’s place. They sent a uni to check things out and they found Jerry by himself. They aren’t sure where Anna is yet.” he paused a moment. “Someone shot at the officers when they went in to check on Jerry. If I’m right they were trying to get at Jerry.” Rachel’s jaw dropped as she gasped.

“But he’s ok right?” Nash nodded

“I’m not sure for how long though. We don’t have much time. Chambers has to know by now that the cops have Jerry, and he’ll be looking for a way to get us back for it.” Before Rachel could respond, Cassidy interrupted them.

“We just got a call from someone saying he knows where to find Harvey. He says he won‘t talk to anyone but you.” All three turned and headed for the phone. Nash picked up the receiver and started talking to man on the other end of the line.

“Bridges here. You said you know where my inspector is?”

“Yeah, I do. I’ll even tell you, but I want something in return.”

“Go ahead.”

“I want you to send a black and white to 515 Eddy. Tell them to look carefully.” Nash grabbed a pen a scribbled the address down.

“Okay, you gonna tell me what they‘re looking for?”

“They’ll know when they get here.” shaking his head Nash handed the address to Rachel. “I’ll call back in twenty minutes and if your guys have gotten to the address, I’ll tell you where Leek is.” The phone clicked and Nash stood in silence for a moment. Rachel sent a unit to the address, an said that they were just waiting for them to call in with what they found.

***

Frank hung up the phone and left a small envelope near the phone booth he had called from. There was a rush of fear surrounding him, and he knew that if Harvey’s plan didn’t work the chances of any of them surviving this thing were pretty slim. He had worked so hard to protect his sister before all this had happened, and everyday he loathed himself even more for ever getting her involved in his problems. She wouldn’t be in this mess if it weren’t for me he thought. He vowed to get her safe from Chambers and everything else that could hurt her. No matter what he was going to save her.

Within ten minutes the cops Rachel sent had found the envelope and were picking up the phone to call in. Nash and the others were confused by what the officers said they had found.

Frank hid inside one of the nearby alleys until he saw the police car arrive. Once they were there he headed to the next street to call Nash.

“Well, I assume your guys have my package.”

“Yes, now where is my Inspector?”

“I have given you everything you need to find him. Just use your clues, and remember you only have until midnight.” With that he hung up.

A few minutes later the officers brought the half-opened envelope into the SIU, so Nash could see what had them so puzzled .

“What in the Hell?” he muttered as he spread the contents out on the table.

“This is just odd.” Rachel said as she eyed the fully opened materials. Among the items placed in the envelope was a small microscope slide, some latex gloves, a Petrie dish marked hazardous, Harvey’s armband, three Kleenexes, and piece of paper with the words ‘given to the dead’ written on it. No one was sure what it all meant, but they were definitely going to find out. After seeking out a microscope, they were able to take a look at the slide. This baffled them even more.

***

Angel and Harvey were feverishly working on the last of the bacteria when an angry Antwon entered the lab. Chambers was not far behind. Harvey could tell by the look in his eyes that Chambers was probably coming off his high, and he shook his head in disgust.

“Is there a problem Harv?” he asked.

“Nope.” was his simple reply as he moved his hands across the keyboard and continued to talk to Angel through the microphone. “You got the rest of the-” before he could finish his sentence, Antwon ripped the microphone from the desk and pulled Harvey up by the collar.

“I don’t think that he was finished with you yet.” he growled as he slowly tightened his grip.

“Easy Twon. Let him go. I want him alive for this.”

“For what?!” Harvey asked

“I am not sure how you did it, but I am quite impressed with you. Too bad your little boy is going to have to pay the price.” Harvey froze. He thought his heart would stop, and he was terrified. For a moment he thought about lunging for Chambers, but he knew better and stayed seated.

“What does any of this have to do with my son?”

“Tell me Leek, how exactly did you let the cops know we were watching him?” John stalked around him like a tiger waiting to pounce, and the beads of sweat were pouring down his brow. “I’d really like to know how you did it?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Well that’s a shame then. Because I am still going to kill that little bastard child of yours.” Harvey started to get up, but was abruptly stopped by Antwon. John reached for a nearby remote and turned on the monitor above them. Harvey stared at the screen in disbelief. He could see the front porch of Anna’s house, and the silhouette of a small boy inside. A moment later a figure walked to the door and knocked. He could hear the small voice of his son answer the man. Harvey could feel his heart being ripped out as he watched the man turn to leave. Within a few seconds an object went flying through the front window and the house exploded. Harvey screamed as Chambers flipped off the monitor, and walked out the door. He rose from his seat only to crumple to the floor in a heap of anguish and tears. Angel entered the room a moment later having seen the events from the monitor in the lab. Quietly she wrapped her arms around Harvey as he wept.

***

Nash and Rachel carefully examined the contents of the envelope trying to figure out what they meant. It had been nearly an hour since they had found it, and they were still clueless.

“Can anybody think of a connection between any of these items?” Nash asked in a frustrated tone.

“It seems to me that at least half these items have something to do with Harvey, but I am not sure about the other half.”

“Obviously the armband, and the note, but what else?” Rachel was about to answer when Cassidy walked up.

“Maybe all of this stuff is connected to Harvey somehow. Do we have a microscope around here?” Ronnie miraculously managed to find one in a storage closet, though no one was quite sure how it got there in the first place. Cassidy set it up and slipped the slide in place. She looked at it, but had no idea what she was seeing. Moving out of the way she let Rachel view the slide. Nash stood back and patiently waited for the women to tell him what was there. Slowly Rachel raised her head and a look of horror came over her face.

“Is it that bad?” Nash asked

“It’s worse.” She motioned for Nash to take a look for himself.

“All I see is a bunch of moving particles. What are they?”

“It’s a bacteria.”

“I think I know what all this stuff is.” Cassidy muttered. They all turned in her direction and she began to fumble with all the objects. She started to arrange the objects and they all stood mesmerized by her movements. When she was done she moved out of the way they glanced at the table and then at her with puzzled expressions.

“You have lost me darlin’”

“It’s simple. It’s like a puzzle. Everything he sent us is part of a message. Look.” They all continued staring at the table. Rachel slowly started to see the pattern.

“I can’t believe we missed it.”

“But what are the kleenex for?” Nash was started to fit the pieces together. Just then Ronnie stepped up and tried to put in his own two cents worth.

“Maybe it’s just me, but if you put them like this they look just like the symbol above the gate to Chamber‘s place.” He moved them and then continued. “If I remember right, Harvey got the armband at a Grateful Dead memorial thing at Candlestick Park.” Everything started to fit...

“Yeah, and if we’re reading this right we had better get a crew over to the stadium to check things out.”

Nash quickly sent a unit to the stadium, and waited to see what they found.

***

The tears flowed from Harvey as he held onto Angel. He felt as though his heart and soul had been ripped from him and he was suddenly overcome with a swell of anger. With a shaky hand he wiped the tears from his eyes as he felt the sharp stinging as the tears burned his cheeks. The images kept running through his mind and he wanted to scream, but more than that he wanted to make John pay for what he had done. Harvey wasn’t prone to much anger. He had always considered himself rather non-violent man, or at least as non-violent as a cop can get. Never in his life had he felt so much hatred for one person as he did at that moment. He pulled away from Angel and softened as he saw her bright eyes smiling back at him. Slowly he rose and went to the desk.

“If he wants this damn stuff so bad he can have it!” Harvey quickly fumbled with the keys to adjust the setting of the probes and sent the final commands to activate them. Angel watched as he finished their work without ever changing his expression. She was frightened by it, but she kept silent.

A few minutes later Antwon returned. He took the canisters that Angel and Harvey had placed the bacteria in and went to Chambers’ office. He saw the look in Harvey’s eyes and he suddenly felt an overwhelming sense that things were somehow going to go wrong.

***

Antwon left two canisters with Chambers and went with Frank to put the others in place. They quietly pulled into the back of the stadium. Frank and one of the other men went inside to set up. Antwon stayed and watched the entrance. He waited impatiently as Frank worked.

“Are you almost finished?” Antwon growled into the walkie-talkie.

“Yeah. Just a few more minutes.”

Frank was deliberately working slow so that the cops could get there. He prayed they had figured out the message he had sent them. He knew that Harvey had to know the people he worked with well enough to know they would be able to figure it out, but he wasn’t sure he trusted that. They were slowly running out of time, and if the cops didn’t get there soon there wasn’t going to be much chance of anyone especially Angel getting through this safely.

Outside Antwon was watching the parking lot and strumming his hand across the dashboard. He heard the faint sounds of approaching cars and he pulled back further into the shadows. The flashing light of the police cars told him that he was going to have to split without his comrades. Before they got any closer he radioed to Frank that cops were coming and then he sped out of the lot leaving them behind.

***

“Okay bubba, I think it is really in your best interest to talk to me.” Nash watched as Frank’s partner sat smugly in his chair.

“I ain’t tellin’ you nothin’!” All he wanted to do was throw the man overboard at this point. They had yet to talk to Frank, but he was sure nothing would come of that either.

“Get this moron out of my sight!” Ronnie promptly returned him to his cell and returned with Frank.

“Your name is Frank Munoz. Adelita is your sister. She went missing a few months ago and you turn up together working for Chambers. You wanna tell me anything else?”

Silently Frank studied the man looking down at him. Harvey had told him to trust this man, but part of him wasn’t sure if he should. “You’re Nash Bridges right? Harvey‘s boss.”

Nash’s eyes flashed red at the mention of his missing inspector. “You have something you wanna say?”

“Maybe...I am guessing since your boys showed up that you figured out the puzzle I left you.”

Rachel and the others gathered around and to hear exactly what Frank had to say. He carefully gave them the details they needed to know to get Harvey back and to stop Chambers. Despite it being 4am Rachel managed to roust a judge to sign their warrant and they readied themselves to takedown Chambers the next morning.

***

Early the next morning, Nash and company arrived at the Chamber’s Mansion with their freshly signed warrant. Chambers was in the process of moving Harvey and Angel, when he saw the cars approaching. He and Antwon scrambled to get away. Grabbing Harvey and Angel he pushed them into the backseat of the car. John got into another car and his driver took off. Antwon was only a few seconds behind him. As Nash approached, he saw the two cars speed off, and started after them. The two cars raced their way down the street and headed toward the Harbor Bridge. Nash tried to take a short cut so as to cut them off. Antwon was punching it trying to get across the bridge, and Harvey held on to Angel in the back seat. Chamber’s car was a few yards ahead of them, and he quickly veered off and started heading away from them.

“Dammit!” Antwon yelled as he saw the car speeding off to the side. He kept going, as the sirens blared behind him. The units got closer, they began to fire at him. One bullet touched the driver’s side window, and parts of it shattered onto Antwon. Quickly he reached his gun out of the broken window and fired off a couple of shots. He managed to stop the first car, but there were still three more following close behind. For just a moment, he took his eyes off the road to reload his gun, and Angel pulled away from Harvey and grabbed Antwon by the neck. Harvey tried to stop her, but realized too late that they were both still strapped in. They had begun to approach the bridge as it was being raised. Before anyone could react the car went sailing over the bridge, and then into the water. Rapidly the car was submerged in the harbor, and Harvey and Angel struggled to free themselves from their seatbelts. The more they struggled, the worse it got. With each moment the car sunk lower, and the fear was rising in Harvey. Part of him was afraid to die, but another part of him wasn’t. He fumbled with the belt a bit more, and looked over at Angel who was nearing unconsciousness. Quickly he began to undo her belt, and finally he was able to free her. He was afraid it was too late though, because she had already lost consciousness. Pushing her to the front seat he passed her by Antwon who was also struggling with his own seatbelt. Stopping for a second, Antwon pushed Angel’s body out the window. After struggling a bit more, Harvey was able to free himself. He was about to pass out himself, but he managed to get Antwon’s belt unhooked as well, and they started to go out the window. Antwon moved so quickly trying to get Angel to the surface that he never noticed that Harvey wasn’t behind him.

***

Nash sped down the alley and turned the corner. One of the units had radioed him about Chambers' change in direction, and he went after him. As he passed a few more streets, he saw Chamber’s car not too far ahead. Stepping on the gas, he got closer. Pulling his gun he started shooting, as Cassidy grabbed the wheel. With three shots, the car crashed into a store window as it tried to turn the corner. Nash pulled over and quickly got out.

“SFPD! Freeze!” He shouted as the driver stepped out of the vehicle. Seeing Chambers in the back seat, Nash motioned for him to get out of the car. Slowly he did so with is hands in the air. “Well Bubba, it looks like this is where you get off.”

“This isn’t over Bridges!” He shouted as he was being cuffed. Cassidy collected the briefcase with the canisters, and brought it back to Nash.

“So where it this going?” She asked.

“Call Hazmat, we’ll let them play with it.”

He loaded Chambers into the squad car that had arrived moments earlier. His next concern was checking on Harvey, and he picked up the radio. He asked for an update on the other car, and nearly dropped the receiver when dispatch told him that Harvey’s car had gone over the bridge, and he still had not come up. Quickly he and Cassidy got into the Cuda and headed for the bridge.

***

As Harvey was going out the window, his leg got caught on some broken glass, and he was unable to free himself. He tried to reach back and loosen his pant leg, but he ran out of breath, and his eyes closed. When he opened them again he was still under the water, and he could see the sun shining above him. His leg was still stuck, but then he saw the most amazing thing. Right there before him, was the small frame of Mackenzie unhooking his leg from the glass. He rubbed his eyes, and blinked. Rapidly the small boy reached for Harvey’s hand, and began to pull him upward. Harvey’s eyes began to close again. When he opened his eyes again there was a petite nurse standing over him examining an IV bag and writing on a clipboard.

“Welcome back Inspector.” She said with a smile. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. There was little he could say in all his confusion. The nurse began to talk to him, as the doctor came to examine him. He couldn’t make out much of what she said, but when she held up the small angel figure he was sure she said he was clutching it when they pulled him out of the water.

“You had been under for almost ten minutes, the EMTs were sure you weren’t gonna pull through, but somehow you started breathing. When they got you here, we found this little guy buried in your hand...” She paused “Someone was sure watching out for you Inspector Leek.” The rosy-cheeked nurse smiled again as she put the angel back on the side table. She came back and recorded a few more items in her clipboard, and then turned off the light and walked out the door. Harvey’s eyes were beginning to close again, but he was almost positive he could hear the sound of child’s laughter. He looked towards the door, and for a second Mackenzie was standing there smiling and waving, and Harvey closed his eyes again.

***

The next day Harvey woke up, and Rachel was sitting next to him holding Jerry as he slept. For a moment he was sure it was all a dream, or that he was really dead. A smile came over Harvey’s face as he looked at his son. The tears began to fall as reached his arm out towards his child. He tried to sit up, but he yelped in pain when he moved. Jerry woke at the noise, and was happy to see his dad awake.

“Daddy!” He shouted as he jumped on the bed. Rachel opened her eyes in time to see Jerry flying for the bed, and reached for him, but missed and Harvey yelled again when his son hit the bed. “I’m sorry Daddy.” Jerry said as he pouted. Harvey couldn’t find the words to say exactly what he felt at that moment, but he knew he didn’t want to let go of his son for a long while.

The nurse entered the room, and told him to be careful, and then walked out again. Harvey kept his arms around Jerry and held him tight. Tears rolled down his cheek and he smiled again. A nurse came in and offered to take Jerry for some cookies, and happily he followed her when Harvey reluctantly nodded in approval.

“So how long have I been out?” He asked Rachel.

“Not too long...you woke up for a few minutes last night.”

Harvey reached up to wipe away his uncontrollable tears. “What is it Harvey?”

“Chambers made me think Jerry was dead. I saw Anna’s house and it looked like Jerry was inside and then it blew up and...” He covered his face to hide his tears, but Rachel cradled his head and let him cry for moment.

“How did Jerry get here?”

“He got here about three hours ago. We brought him in this morning. Seattle PD got word that someone was lurking around the house and they sent a unit to check it out. We heard about the explosion after he was on his way here.” By the look on her face Harvey was sure there was more that she wasn’t telling him.

“I get the feeling there is more. What is it?”

“No one can find Anna. She wasn‘t in the explosion, but-”

“What?!”

“When the unis went in to check on Jerry, they found him by himself. He told them that she left for work yesterday and hadn’t come back yet. They called us and Nash told them to bring him here until they located Anna.” Harvey shook his head in disbelief. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep him with me until you get out of here.”

“Thanks. You’re a real god sent.”

“No problem. I am just glad you’re alive.” He gave her a puzzled expression and smiled. The continued to talk for a few more minutes until Nash came and knocked on the door.

“It’s good to see you awake Harv.” Nash said as entered the room.

“Hey how are Antwon and Angel? Are they all right?” Harvey asked, and he knew instantly that something was wrong.

“Antwon didn’t make it. He got the girl out, they said he started having a seizure and he never regained consciousness.” Harvey’s face fell, a huge part of him grieved for the man he once knew.

“Is she ok?”

“Yeah, her room is down the hall.”

“What about Chambers?”

“He’s in custody now. We’re transferring him to county tomorrow.” Harvey could see a deep sadness in Nash’s eyes, and it frightened him.

“Something happen with Joe?” Nash turned, and wiped away a tear from his eye.

“Not yet, but it isn’t looking good.” The nurse entered again, and asked Nash to step outside so Harvey could get some more rest. Quietly he obliged her, and left Harvey to rest up.

***

Later that afternoon, Harvey managed to commandeer a wheel chair, and made his way to Joe’s room. When he got there Inger was sitting in a chair next to Joe holding his hand. She looked up and half smiled when she saw him. Harvey wheeled closer, and hugged Inger. Inger took a brief moment to go out and check on JJ and Lucia, while Harvey stayed with Joe.

“Hey man. How ya doin’? I guess that’s a dumb question. I am sure everyone has been telling you you’re gonna be ok, so I guess I’ll do that too. You’re gonna be fine, I just know it. I’m praying for you, and I just wanted you to have something.” He reached over, and put the angel in Joe’s hand. “It helped me out once or twice, so I want you to have it.” Taking it out of his hand he placed it on the table next to him, and whispered a prayer. When Inger returned, he wheeled himself back to his room, and tried to go back to sleep, but all he could think about was Joe.

A few hours later, Inger sat staring at the papers the doctor had given her, and just cried. She knew it was the right thing to do, but it was just too hard. Closing her eyes she signed them, and went to the doctor. Nash was standing beside her as they went to the bed. JJ and Lucia were sitting together in a nearby chair. Inger looked at Nash and said, “It would be better this way.” Nash couldn’t stop the tears from falling as the doctors unhooked the machines. They all watched as the last few beeps went off. In the deafening silence, something inside Nash screamed. As he held Inger in his arms, he heard the tiny voice of Lucia call out from JJ’s arms. “Daddy, I love you.”