By the second day of the hospital operation Jay was beginning to have second thoughts about its' chances for success. Beckett had reported back that Benson had seemed a bit perturbed when he was informed the injured Detective had been hospitalised at Mercy Memorial after taking a turn for the worse. No one knew quite what to make of the HS Directors' reaction, especially Murphy, and that had everyone on edge. The East Wing of Floor 5 had been fitted with various surveillance cameras at Mouses' instruction and the IT Specialist was stationed in a surveillance van with Beckett hoping to spot their quarry on one of several monitors.
Jays' room was at the end of a long hallway, apparently guarded by a single uniformed Police Officer but in reality the Intelligent Unit members took turns in the role. The second bed in the small room was also permanently occupied by a member of the Unit. Jays' pleas that a private single room would be more appropriate had fallen on deaf ears. He could not protest about having someone guarding the door as Wells would expect them to be taking security measures. While one person stayed with him and another took on the guise of a Patrol Officer the others took on the roles of Maintenance Personnel, donning disguises to ensure Wells was not spooked if he did show up. They had to assume Benson had appraised Wells of the investigation team members. A glance at his watch told Jay it was nearing ten after nine,
the night skies matching the grim mood he was in.
"I hope he comes soon," Al stated softly from the other bed where he lay in the semi darkness dressed in a t-shirt as a pyjama top to fool any visitor, although he remained in his jeans under the covers, his gun in his hidden hand ready for anything.
"He might send someone else," Jay reminded with a caution, they had discussed the possibility before they began the operation.
"Well if he does I hope it's not Benson."
"Can't see Benson coming here. He'd be taking too much of a risk."
"Maybe Wells won't give him a choice."
"Maybe," Jay agreed around a yawn.
"Get some rest Kid, I got the watch."
"Thanks," Jay acquiesced, knowing he could relax with the ex Sniper watching his six and although sleeping was not usually advisable during this type of operation his body was crying out for a break from tbe discomfort which seemed to have taken up permanent residence within his battered frame.
Surveillance Van
"You served in the Rangers with Halstead didn't you?" Beckett asked as he finished yet another cup of coffee and tossed the empty cup into a nearby overflowing bin.
"Who told you that?" Mouse momentarily looked away from the small screens in front of him.
"Heard some of the guys talking in the Break Room the other day. I was just curious."
"Yeah," Mouse returned to monitoring the live footage before them, "we served together. He was my Lieutenant."
"Can I ask you something?" Beckett checked, his nervousness betrayed by the way he fidgeted on his chair.
"You can ask," Mouse decreed without looking at his companion, "can't promise I'll answer though."
"Fair enough. I was wondering why none of ye have ........ tackled me over Halstead getting hurt. I wouldn't blame ye if ye wanted to punch my lights out."
"We promised not to retaliate against you," Mouse replied after a brief silence, the urge to punch the man in the face had been hard to overcome.
"If you want to punch my lights out I promise Voight will never hear about it from me."
"That's a tempting offer but Voight's not the one we made a promise to," Mouse divulged with a mirthless grin as he zoomed in on a hooded figure after entering the east stairwell.
"Then who ....,"
"Jay made us give our word you would not experience our wrath," Mouse explained, his eyes focused on the top right hand screen as he made short work, with flying fingers, of changing the angle of the camera which surveilled the stairwell entrance onto Floor 5.
"Why?" the FBI Agent was astonished by the injured Detectives' willingness to protect him.
"You were duped by Benson," Mouse explained his friends' reasoning before continuing sternly, "but I got to tell you I don't understand why you weren't suspicious when he approached you. I mean he isn't even with the FBI."
"I know," Beckett admitted in chagrin, "but I think that's why I didn't suspect anything was wrong .....,"
"Seems Iike a red flag to me," Mouse accused as the hooded figure on the screen stopped on the 4th floor to tie his laces, "he had no authority over you."
"In hindsight it seems obvious," the contrite man agreed, "but he was very convincing and to be honest it just sounded so mundane that I didn't question him."
"Mundane?"
"He told me he was part of a multi-branch Oversight Committee. I understood he needed details of the investigation to ascertain how funds were being used. Ironic thing is ...... I was the one being used."
"Guess he's a good liar," Mouse said with relief colouring his words as the figure on screen finished fixing his laces and shrugged off the hood exposing his face before entering the 4th Floor as he pinned on his ID badge and he recognised him from the Personnel Files as a Porter.
"Well I hope they throw the book at him!"
"You and me both."
-----------------------
Voight and Antonio wore paint speckled overalls as they applied yellow paint to the wall before them.
"Hell I don't even paint at home," Antonio complained to anyone who would listen.
"I can see why," Burkes' rueful response in his ear made the Detective grin, the Bomb Technician was further along the corridor putting the finishing touches to a new door lock for the supply room.
"You could have done the electrics," Adam joined in without sympathy from where he was seated outside Jays' door.
"And killed us all," Kevin wrily put in from behind the counter of the Nurses Station as he wired a plug.
"Hell everyone's a smart guy! Antonio shook his head in mock disgust.
"We give it until ten," Voight cut through the teasing grimly, "even overtime Maintenance personnel finish then apparently."
"So we do the same as last night?" Mouse double checked from the van.
"Yes," the Sergeant agreed as the stairwell door opened revealing a Pizza Delivery guy.
"A heads up would be nice Mouse," Adam complained as he saw the man in the distance.
"Guys he never showed up on my screen until he was on the stairwell outside the 3rd Floor," the ex-Ranger explained, "could be just a coincidence he wasn't covered though".
"Be ready," Voight instructed in a whisper as he bent over to apply another coat of paint to his brush.
"Too short for Wells," Kevin concluded after the man passed him.
"Could be a recon," Antonio stated, "hopefully Wells is close by."
------------------------
Adam eyed the guy approaching hoping he wasn't spooked by anything. Standing up as he neared the guarded door Adam raised an authoritative voice along with a hand.
"Who is that for?"
"A Jay Halstead," the twenty-something shrugged nonchalantly, "is he allowed visitors?"
"The guy is barely conscious most of the time," Adam scoffed, "who ordered the pizza?"
"Beats me. I just deliver. So what do I do with the order?"
"I haven't eaten in a while," Adam stated as he took out his wallet and retrieved some bills before handing them over with a wide grin, "I was just thinking I was in the mood for pizza. Keep the change."
"Cool, thanks man."
Once the man was on his way back down the stairwell the men in the corridor remained in place, not breaking cover. The flat box and contents needed to be checked for any listening devices before they would stand down.
"Shouldn't have had that last Sprite," Adam made a show of rubbing his stomach as he seemingly spoke to himself and turned and opened the door to the unlit room and carried the pizza in with him.
Al was already on his feet and took the box without preamble as he held up a scanner that would detect any devices. Adam entered the bathroom and pulled the door closed behind him. After standing inside for a few minutes he flushed the toilet and washed his hands before using the hand dryer. Upon opening the door he found Al standing before him with a finger pressed to his lips and tapping his ear. There was a listening device in place. Taking the box back without a word Adam winked at the older Detective before returning to his seat outside the door and helping himself to a slice of the pizza. He would dispose of the enpty box in a waste bin on the way out, as would be expected if the bug had not been discovered. Catching Voights' eye he nodded imperceptibly. There was a chance that Wells might show up.
After Adam left Al walked over to Jays' bed and looked down at his reclining form. Even in sleep he looked worn out. With a sigh he reluctantly woke the younger man and keeping his voice low brought him up to date.
"Not sure Wells will come," the weary mans' frustration coloured his tone, "how can he get to me with the door being guarded?"
"He would be suspicious if you were not being protected."
"I know. It's just we might be making it too hard for him to get to me."
"Wells seems to cope with difficult situations," Al noted as he walked back over to his temporary bed and got under the covers again, "none of us expected the helicopter. If he wants to get to you he'll find a way."
"What if he hurts Adam or whoever is on the door?" Jay finally broached the subject that was tormenting him.
"There are no guarantees in life or in this job Kid. You know that."
"Knowing it and accepting it are two separate things," Jay stated ruefully.
"And by the way I'm touched by your concern for my welfare!"
"Heck it would take a platoon to take out someone as old as you."
"I think the word you meant to use was "'experienced'."
"Sure," Jay nodded agreeably, "someone as old and experienced like you."
"Hell I might just save Wells the hassle."
"Schucks I feel better now. You're a bit long in the tooth for a Marksman."
"Keep it up and I'll show you who's long in the tooth Kid," Al assured in amusement.
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Surveillance Van
Mouse watched the Pizza Delivery guy exit the 3rd Floor stairwell and walk along the corridor, seemingly not in any hurry
"Aren't we picking him up?" Beckett asked as he stood to stretch his arms.
"Nope."
"But the listening device ....,"
"If he's working for Wells he will be expected to update him. If he's not working for Wells and didn't know about the bug we'll rule him out as a suspect," Mouse explained as he captured some close up images of the man in question and began running an image search.
"So what happens now?"
"How long have you been with the FBI? Mouse tossed back a question of his own instead of answering.
"Two months if you don't include Field Training."
"Well caution is key in situations like this," the IT Specialist offered, he already knew his companions' experience, or lack thereof, after completing a thorough background check when his ties with Benson were discovered.
tbc
Authors' Note
'Watching his six' = watching his back.
Recon = Reconnaissance