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"In Plain Sight"


Chapter 1
In Plain Sight - Chap 1

By Begin Again

Thank you for stopping by to read our Mystery/Crime Adventure, a joint effort between Lori Mulligan and myself. I have written the first chapter, and Lori will follow with the second—and so on. I hope you will enjoy our posts as we dive into the world of a vigilante.

PLEASE MEET ............

Detective Lena Hart – Late 30’s — She transferred to the city’s homicide division after a high-profile case went sideways in her last precinct. The brass claimed she needed a “fresh start,” but really, she pushed too hard on corruption and made enemies.

She’s Jack’s new partner, trying to adapt to the unspoken rules of the department—and Jack’s gruff, enigmatic way of doing things.

Detective Jack Rourke – Age 40 — He grew up in a very tough neighborhood in the city. At the age of 11, he witnessed the mugging of his older sister – she was killed. Since he was hiding nearby, skipping school, when it happened, he carries the guilt because he thinks he should have done something to stop it.

He sees her face and hears her voice in his dreams. Because of that, he doesn’t sleep much. Instead, he walks the streets, telling himself he’s clearing his head, but is he really?

He’s known for his instincts and street smarts and is respected as a good detective, but he keeps people at arm’s length.

*****

IN PLAIN SIGHT by Lori Mulligan and Begin Again (Carol)

Chapter 1

The click of her heels echoed like gunshots in the empty street.

Marisa kept her eyes forward, though her every instinct screamed to look behind her. Downtown was quiet at this hour — most shops were closed, and the sidewalks were glossy with rain. A neon bar sign flickered above a closed dive, its buzzing pulse making her skin crawl.

She shouldn't have walked alone. She knew it, but of course, she didn't listen to her common sense. Dinner had run long. Too much wine, too many laughs, and now the valet was gone and her car sat two blocks away in the nearest lot — plenty of lights, open space, and safe — or so she'd told herself.

Now, as she walked alone, it didn't feel safe at all. Her thoughts imagined every horror film she'd ever seen. Her purse strap dug into her shoulder as she passed a narrow coffee shop. A man sat alone at the window — mid-forties, long coat, face drawn. His coffee steamed in front of him, untouched. Their eyes met for half a second. He didn't smile. Neither did she. This late at night, in this city, it was best not to make eye contact and to keep moving.

The first time she heard footsteps behind her, she paused near the edge of the shop's light and pulled out her phone. No signal. The second time, the footsteps were closer.

She shivered, pulling her coat tighter as she turned. She saw a man in a long coat and hood, about thirty feet back. His hands were in his pockets. He stopped when she looked and stepped into an entryway.

She turned sharply and crossed the street without checking traffic. A car swerved, horn blaring. She barely noticed. Her heart was racing. She heard the footsteps again. Now she clenched her keys in her fist, each one wedged between her fingers like makeshift claws. The cold metal dug into her skin.

The parking lot was just ahead, past the alley. She didn't look back again. Whether fear or determination, she forced herself to quicken her steps. She slipped into the alley, deciding fast — shorter, faster, over before he could catch up.

It stank of grease and wet garbage. A rusted dumpster leaned against the wall, and her heels skidded on slick pavement. She caught herself, breath ragged. A hand landed on her shoulder. She screamed and twisted, keys slashing forward. The man grabbed her wrist and slammed her into the wall.

She saw a glint — metal, a blade, maybe — but before it could reach her, someone shouted and then collided with her attacker, sending him crashing against the brick. A sickening thud echoed off the walls.

She dropped to her knees. The world spun. Her attacker groaned once, then fell silent. The man who'd saved her stood in the dark, breathing hard. He appeared to be watching her. She couldn't see his face. "Wh-who are you?" she whispered. But he didn't answer. He just turned and vanished into the night.

*****

Later, red and blue lights pulsed against the wet brick. Yellow tape fluttered in the breeze. Uniforms moved like shadows, talking in low tones, scribbling notes, shining flashlights into puddles.

Detective Lena Hart ducked under the tape, her boots splashing. Her hair was still damp — she hadn't had time to pull it back. She'd been halfway through reheating late-night leftovers when dispatch called in an active scene. Probable assault. One deceased.

Now, here she was, getting her bearings. "Victim ID?" she asked an officer. "Name's Marisa Kline. Thirty-two. She's shook up but not injured. Said someone followed her from the restaurant. The guy grabbed her in the alley. Someone else stopped him. Hard." The officer gestured toward the tarp.

"Did she see who?"

"No. Said it happened fast. She was stunned, and her attacker was dead. The other guy disappeared before she could even thank him."

 Lena crouched by the body and lifted the corner of the tarp. A clean, vicious strike caved in the man's head at the temple. There was blood on the bricks behind him. Whoever did this hadn't hesitated. "Weapon?"

"Haven't found one yet."

She nodded, letting the tarp fall back into place. Then, she noticed a figure near the edge of the alley. A man leaning against the building with a coffee in his hand — watching.

"Jack?" she called out.

Detective Jack Rourke turned, lifting the cup slightly in greeting. She approached, frowning. "What are you doing here? You were off tonight."

"I live nearby," he said, voice even. "I was getting coffee when I heard the call. I was curious, so I figured I'd take a look."

Lena raised an eyebrow. "You always grab coffee at midnight?"

Jack smiled, but his face showed his weariness. "City doesn't sleep." Shrugging, he added, "Neither do I."

She glanced back at the alley. "Another vigilante case."

 "Looks that way," Jack mumbled.

"Guy didn't stand a chance."

"Maybe he didn't deserve one." Jack sipped his coffee and stared at the pavement.

Lena studied him for a second, unsure if he was joking. He didn't blink.

He turned toward the flashing lights, steam rising from his cup. "Same city," he muttered. "Different ghost."

He raised his coffee as a salute and mumbled, "Doesn't look like you need me.” As he walked away, he stopped and called out, "Hey, Lena —"

Her thoughts had already shifted to the man lying face down in the alley, but she stopped, answering impatiently, "What now, Jack?"

His eyes met hers a moment longer than was necessary, and then he grumbled, "Watch your back!"

Author Notes BE SURE TO CHECK OUT LORI WHEN SHE POSTS CHAPTER 2.... THANK YOU!


Chapter 2
In Plain Sight -Chapter 2

By Begin Again

The next morning Jack showed up at the station dishelved and reeking of day old coffee. Lena was already there flipping through the files of the now five open cases of assault. She looked well rested despite the late night call. He threw the New York Post down on her desk revealing the headline: Vigilante Evades NYPD Again. She brushed it aside.


"Nice of you to show up, Jack," Lena said. The sarcasm was not lost on Jack. "Pull up a chair and let's go over what we know so far about these women."

"Well, all women have been in their early thirties, dressed for nightlife but not trashyâ€"trendy. They were all assaulted between 12 and 1 am in an alley not far from the bar they left. Each of them survived a knife assault thanks to an unknown stranger who has left no clues and all the women said it happened too fast to identify any of his features." Jack seemed impressed with his recounting of events until Lena replied.

"Well that's a good start but let's dig a little deeper. They are all slender and fit. They haven't been drunk but have been tipsy after a few drinks. Each of them had stayed too late for the valet and had to walk to get their car. You're also forgetting that one victim, Valerie D'Amico thought she saw a long coat flapping in the wind when he ran away."

"Well that really narrows it down. Hell, I own a long coat, it could've been me!" Jack said trying to push Lena's buttons.

Though he tried to downplay it, he was impressed with her investigative skills and intuition. It didn't hurt she was easy on the eyes too. Blonde hair, a touch of make up and a slender solid build made her catch a lot of attention from her peers and superiors for that matter. She knew it and knew how to handle herself.

As Lena was about to respond, Maria the Captain's secretary, walked in and said, "The Captain would like to see the two of you immediately in his office."

They got up quickly and entered his office as he waved them in.

"Take a seat. Have you seen the headlines this morning?" Captain O'Malley inquired.

They both nodded somewhat sheepishly. "You guys have been on these vigilante cases since the start and you seem to know no more than you did the day you started. Now I've got five dead bodies and the city making a hero out of this savior! And I have a press conference in a half hour. What the hell do you expect me to say? I want the two of you outside with me for the conference and then afterwards we are going to meet at 1 pm and you're going to tell me what your plans are for solving this. That's it. Dismissed."

As Jack and Lena grabbed their coats to head outside, Lena leaned over and said, "Maybe I should start going undercover to some of the local bars where attacks have happened and see if I can get any bites. What do you think?" With that question lingering they walked outside and saw the media starting to gather.

Author Notes Hope you enjoy this story Carol and I are working on together! Thx Lori!


Chapter 3
In Plain Sight - Chap 3

By Begin Again

THIS IS THE THIRD CHAPTER OF A MYSTERY/CRIME STORY WRITTEN BY LORI MULLIGAN AND BEGIN AGAIN (CAROL). We are alternating chapters so please be sure to check out each chapter.


 
 
 
 
Jack and Lena are partners and are currently working a case involving brutal attacks on young women. The twist in the story is the vigilante, who comes to their rescue, takes out the perp, and then disappears into the shadows. The detectives are short on clues and long on public unrest. Jack prefers to move unseen through the city's dark life, but Lena never hesitates to put herself out there, almost announcing, "Come and get me."
 
******
CHAPTER 3

Lena squinted against the camera flashes as she and Jack stepped onto the precinct steps behind Captain O'Malley. The reporters surged forward like sharks scenting blood, voices overlapping in a chaotic blur of questions and flashing bulbs.

"Captain, do you condone vigilantism?"

"Is it true this so-called savior has killed five men?"

"Do you have any suspects?"

"Detectives — do you feel safe walking alone at night?"

That last question hit a little too close. Lena's gaze shifted toward the woman who asked it, then over to Jack, who was already watching her. His jaw was tight, his expression unmistakable — "Don't even think about it."

But that's all she could do — think about it.

Captain O'Malley stepped up to the podium, his voice as composed as ever. "We understand the public's concern, and we share it. Our department is actively investigating these incidents and taking all necessary steps to identify the perpetrators, including those responsible for intervening. We will not speculate. We will not encourage hero worship. We will work the facts."

A voice called out from the crowd, sharper than the rest. "Is it true your detectives have no leads?"

Jack shifted beside Lena and leaned in slightly. "Same circus," he muttered. "Vultures fighting over the remains."

Lena didn't respond. Her mind had already drifted back to the alley, to the blood on the bricks, to the fear in Marisa Kline's voice, and to the man who stepped out of the dark to save her and disappeared just as quickly.

O'Malley wrapped up quickly, turning on his heel and heading back into the building. Jack and Lena followed under a flurry of shutter clicks and questions, the noise subsiding once the doors shut behind them.

They had barely made it down the hallway before Jack turned on her. "Tell me you're not seriously considering going out there alone."

Lena didn't miss a beat. "It's the only way to draw him out."

"He's not some ghost we're chasing in a sheet. He's fast, brutal, and clearly knows what he's doing. You really want to end up on a slab just to make a point?"

"I want to stop this before there's a sixth body," she snapped, her tone sharp but controlled. "We've got nothing. No prints, no footage, no description worth a damn. Our best witness remembers a coat flapping in the wind."

Jack dragged a hand through his hair and gave a low exhale. "You should've been a damn lawyer. You'd have made a great one, speeches and all. But you aren't Dick Tracy or Perry Mason. Just don't do anything reckless."

"I never do," she said, already pulling out her phone.

Jack narrowed his eyes but let it go.

*****

A few hours later, Jack was still at his desk finishing a report when his phone buzzed. It was Kayla, the garage guard.

"Rourke," he answered.

"Hey, sorry to bother you. Any idea where Hart is?"

Jack sat forward a little. "She said she was heading home. Why?"

"Well, I found her badge. Might've slipped out of her bag on the way out. I tried texting her but haven't heard back."

Jack frowned. "You saw her leave?"

"Yeah, not long ago. She looked different, though. Hair down, dressed to knock somebody's socks off. And I swear, she had one of those pink flyers sticking out of her bag — looked like a promo for Ladies' Night at MacArthur's. The only reason I remember is that I went a few weeks ago. Same bright design."

Jack didn't say anything at first. His stomach had already tightened.

"Figured she might need this badge. You think she's working undercover?" Kyle asked.

"I think she's out there alone and didn't want anyone to know." He hung up without another word, grabbed his coat, and left.

*****

When Jack parked across from MacArthur's, the street was slick with drizzle and mostly quiet. He spotted Lena through the front window of the bar. She perched on a barstool, looking like someone waiting for a friend. The wig was subtle, and her makeup was minimal but enough to change her face just a little.

His phone buzzed. He glanced down. It was Lena.

Out with Taylor & Meg at Luca's. So, you can chill.

He looked back at her, then again at the text. MacArthur's wasn't Luca's. She had lied. He didn't bother responding.

A commotion broke out near the corner before he even considered walking in on Lena. Jack turned toward the sound just in time to see a man shouting at a woman, grabbing her arm, and slapping her across the face. She cried out and stumbled to the ground.

Jack cursed under his breath, yanked his badge from his pocket, and ran toward the couple.

*****

Striking out, Lena left the bar, walking down the route she'd mapped out earlier. Her wig itched beneath the hood of her coat, and the rain made the sidewalk slick under her boots. Her clutch was clenched tightly in one hand. She passed the alley, glanced once behind her, and kept going.

Nothing was happening. Maybe it wasn't her night
.
She took two more steps, passing the dumpster, and the blow came hard from behind.

A hand yanked her purse away before she could turn. Instinct kicked in, and she spun, trying to hit back, but a fist caught her across the cheekbone and sent her crashing to the pavement. She barely registered the pain before her vision blurred and everything faded to black. Her last thought was — where's Jack?

*****

Lena didn't remember the ambulance ride. She wasn't sure how much time had passed by the time she blinked awake. The room smelled like antiseptic. She was in a hospital bed with gauze at her temple and a dull ache pulsing behind her eyes.

"You're lucky," a voice said. A nurse, in her mid-fifties, had a silver braid tucked behind her shoulder. "Bruised ribs. Nothing broken. You fight back?"

Lena blinked, wincing as she sat up. "Yeah. Didn't do much good."

The nurse dabbed ointment along a shallow cut on her cheekbone. "You're police, right? One of the other nurses recognized you."

Lena gave a nod.

"You're the third one in two weeks with damage from an attacker in a downtown alley." She clucked her tongue. "Last girl didn't have a badge, though. Refused to talk. Just wanted out."

Lena's focus sharpened. "What can you tell me about the others?"

"The one I talked to wasn't giving out much info. She had knife wounds, not bruises. Fake ID. Wouldn't talk to anyone. She was bleeding, scared, and bolted before we could do anything.

Lena pushed herself upright, ignoring the sting on her side. "What did she look like?"

"Early thirties, maybe. Blonde hair. Tight dress. Pretty. Looked like she'd been through hell. Kept watching the door like someone might come through it."

"When did this happen?"

The nurse narrowed her eyes slightly. "You should rest, Detective."

"I'm fine. Where did she go? Did you report it?"

The nurse shook her head. "Nothing to report. I went to get the security guard, and she slipped out the back. Never gave us a chance to find out more."

Lena's mind was racing with the knowledge that there were more out there than the five victims they knew about.

*****

Jack was already at his desk the following day when Lena limped into the bullpen. Her temple was bandaged and her wrist bruised.

He jumped from his chair. "Jesus, Lena —"

"I'm fine." Another officer handed her a cup of coffee, which she thankfully sipped.

"You lied to me," Jack snarled
.
She froze, almost choking on the coffee as it slid down her throat. "About?"

"You said you were with Taylor and Meg. At Luca's. I saw you at MacArthur's."

She met his eyes but didn't blink. Had he followed her?

"You could've gotten yourself killed."

"I suppose, since my partner wasn't there to save me. Since you knew where I was, why didn't you help me?"

Jack's voice dropped an octave. "I was breaking up a guy beating his girlfriend. I didn't expect you to go rogue. I won't make that mistake again."

Lena's gaze settled on the reports on her desk. "I thought I could catch him."

"You could've gotten yourself killed."

"I found something," she said, voice low.

Jack lifted his gaze to her. "Besides bruises?"

"In the ER. The nurse told me about another woman. Knife wounds. Gave a fake name. Never reported it."

Jack ran a hand down his face.

"How many more are out there?" Lena asked.

The question hung in the air.

Jack met her eyes. "That's for us to find out."

Author Notes Detective Lena Hart --Late 30s. She transferred to the city's homicide division after a high-profile case went sideways in her last precinct. The brass claimed she needed a fresh start, but really, she'd pushed too hard on corruption and made enemies.

She's Jack's new partner, trying to adapt to the department's unspoken rules and Jack's gruff, enigmatic way of doing things.

Detective Jack Rourke -- Age 40. He grew up in a very tough neighborhood in the city. At the age of 11, he witnessed the mugging of his older sister — she was killed. Since he was hiding nearby, skipping school, when it happened, he carries the guilt because he thinks he should have done something to stop it.

He sees her face and hears her voice in his dreams. Because of that, he doesn't sleep much. Instead, he walks the streets, telling himself he's clearing his head, but is he really?

He's known for his instincts and street smarts and is respected as a good detective, but he keeps people at arm's length.


Chapter 4
In Plain Sight-Chapter 4

By Begin Again

Captain O'Malley called Lena and Jack into his office mid-morning.

"Lena, you're lucky I don't ask for your badge. What you did was reckless and foolish. You could've gotten yourself killed. I had to pull a lot of strings to keep the media out of this. And Jack, you following her without telling anyone was irresponsible at best. Also, you know better than to leave your partner to deal with a dispute. That's a rookie mistake and you've been on homicide way too long for such poor judgment. Thanks to both of your sloppy detective work we now have both an attacker and a vigilante on the loose." He paused, taking several deep breaths, and then continued.

"If you both weren't typically my best detectives your asses would be kicked to the curb. But I'm keeping you as leads on the case; however, I'm going to separate the two of you when you're working the streets. Jack, you're going to fly solo, Lena you will work with Detective Davidson."

"Detective Davidson? He's sexist and not particularly competent," remarked Lena."

"Well, we are short-staffed now, so that's all I can offer. You know how to handle yourself. You brought this on yourself. Jack, you're unusually quiet."

"I'm just listening, which I bet you thought I couldn't do. You're the boss so aye-aye Captain."

"You're walking on thin ice Jack, so watch it," O'Malley said sternly.

"Message received."

Jack and Lena returned to the office they shared, each feeling like a tire with a slow leak.

"Well, I have ideas about how to proceed," said Lena. She was quick to move forward while Jack looked like he was still stewing.

"We'll work night shifts working the streets from 11-2 cruising the two-mile area in the upper east where most attacks have been occurring." She pulled out a map and outlined who would police what area. We will check in every hour."

"You're sexy when you bark orders," said Jack giving her a wink and a smile. She ignored him but there was a trace of a smile she tried to hide. She felt comfortable so far around Jack and was used to off color comments here and there.

"Ok, I'm going to see Davidson. See if I can get him to spend more time looking at my eyes than my chest when I go over plans. Check in with you later tonight. Be safe out there."

Lena knocked loudly on Davidson's door startling him. He closed his laptop quickly so she wouldn't see him surfing Facebook on company time.

She walked in and said, "This isn't a discussion so please listen up. You and I are now working night shifts together on the vigilante case. I'm the lead on this investigation, so I expect you to follow my lead and to follow the letter of law. No sloppy evidence gathering like in the Simmons case. This must be done right. And I need your eyes peeled on the area we will cruising. Do I make myself clear?" She felt empowered. "I will you see you in the parking lot at 11 tonight. Don't be late."

Looking speechless, he finally muttered, "Yes, Detective. I will meet you there and then."

She went home, showered and prepared herself for what she hoped would be an eventful and successful night.

It was now midnight and they had
been cruising for an hour. Lena checked in with Jack and neither one had spotted anything suspicious. There seemed to be fewer women walking alone perhaps heeding police advice in the papers about not walking alone late at night. So far Davidson was behaving himself though every now and then she would catch him closing his eyes for a second. She would play passive aggressive and crank the radio for a second.

Now 12:45, something caught her eye. She saw an attractive woman leaving a restaurant starting to walk down the street. Next she saw a man following her. She informed Jack over the radio and told him she was on East 86th Street and 2nd Ave. He said he was not too far away and would immediately head that way.

She slowly followed them down the road and the women started to enter an alley way. Just as Lena was about to cross an intersection, a truck plowed through the red light and Lena had to slam on her brakes.

"Shit!" she exclaimed. She quickly tried to make up time. When she turned down the alley she saw the attacker on the pavement and the victim holding onto someone. When she got closer, she was surprised to see it was Jack. She was amazed at his speed getting to the scene. She also let out a deep exhale that he was there.

She called the police to gather evidence and deal with the body. They arrived quickly, securing the crime scene. One cop immediately went to assess the body. He made some observations of head trauma but then he screamed, "Holy shit!"

He took his pulse and while very faint it was still there. He yelled, "He has a pulse!" Everyone looked dumbfounded.

"Get him to the hospital immediately. Start CPR and oxygen in the ambulance. We will be there shortly, hopefully he will be alert when we arrive. We need to know what if anything he saw of the vigilante," said Lena with a sense of urgency.

"Davidson and I will head to the hospital. Jack, how about you get a full report from this lady?"

With each of them having their assignments, they leapt into action.

Author Notes Hope you are enjoying this story written by Begin Again (Carol) and me. Please keep an eye out for alternating chapters. Carol is up next with Chapter 5 so stay tuned.


Chapter 5
In Plain Sight - Chap 5

By Begin Again

People jammed the emergency room, some in the waiting room, others waiting in the hallway. Every room held someone, including their perp.

Lena sat upright in a plastic chair, flipping through her notes while Davidson snored like an out-of-tune trombone in the corner.

The nurse poked her head out. "Detective, he's awake. Doc says you've got five minutes."

Lena didn't hesitate. She was off the chair and into the room in seconds. Doyle looked worse for wear — head bandaged, eyes bloodshot, lip split. He blinked up at her like a man trying to remember what planet he was on.

"Detective Hart," she said, flashing her badge out of habit. "You know why I'm here?"

"Because that guy attacked me?" he asked, hopeful that would be the answer.

Lena stared at him, sizing him up. Either this guy had lost his marbles in the attack, or he was playing dumb. "Let's get real, Mr. Doyle. I think it was you doing the attacking."

"Me?" He already looked like a man trying to cut a deal. "You've got it all wrong. I didn't touch her. I was just walking behind her. That's not illegal."

"Let me get this straight. You want me to believe that you just happened to be walking and followed her into an alley — at midnight."

"I thought she dropped something. You should be questioning the guy who knocked me flat. He's your psycho."

"What did he look like?"

Doyle blinked slowly. "Dark hoodie. Tall. Strong. Fast. I couldn't see his face. I swear."

"Tall like what — six-foot-two?" Lena asked casually. "Was he wearing a dark jacket? Lean build, blue eyes?"

Doyle hesitated. "Yeah — yeah, that sounds about right."

Her voice dropped just slightly. "Was it one of our detectives?"

Doyle narrowed his eyes, searching hers. "Yeah, the guy who showed up after. He said he was a detective. Maybe it was him. He showed up out of nowhere."

"You sure about that?"

He licked his lips. "I mean — one minute he wasn't there and then he was. And he fits the build. Look, I just want to help. You'll tell the D.A. I'm cooperating, right?"

You're cooperating with whatever you think saves your ass, she thought grimly.

*****

A few minutes later, Lena leaned against her car, nerves on edge, watching the sun burn orange against the city skyline. She thumbed through her phone, but there was still no response from Jack.

Her head was spinning with questions. Where was he, and why wasn't he returning any of her calls? She flipped through her memory, replaying the scene of the crime.

Jack wasn't breathless when she arrived. Hadn't he just run from somewhere nearby? He'd beaten her to the scene of the crime. He didn't seem rattled. He didn't even ask how the victim was. And he never ignored her texts — especially not after a scene like that.

She opened a new message to him, hoping to rattle his cage. "Jack, our perp fingered you as the vigilante. Don't worry, I didn't bite. But you better have a damn good explanation for how you got there so fast."

She stared at it for a second. Then deleted it.

She didn't send it because — deep down — she wasn't sure if she wanted an explanation or the truth according to Jack.

*****
Jack Rourke stared down at the cracked screen of a burner phone, the one he never told Lena about.

One message blinked at him. "The heat's on. They're asking about you now. Better wrap this up."

He didn't respond — not yet. Not until he was sure. Because if he were right — if someone inside the department were playing judge, jury, and executioner — then calling them out too soon would cost him more than just his job.

It could get Lena killed, too.
*****
What was the truth? Was Lena chasing a shadow? Was Jack pursuing the truth?
Or somewhere in between, was the real vigilante watching and waiting.

Author Notes This is a multi-author book written by Lori Mulligan and me. To read the next chapter of the story, please read Lori's page - In Plain Sight, Chapter 6. We hope that you are enjoying the story.


Chapter 6
In Plain Sight-Chapter 6

By Begin Again

When Lena got home from the ER in the early morning, she decided to give herself a mental break from thinking about Jack and took a shower and rested for a few hours. The warm shower relaxed her and she fell sound asleep.

When she woke, she grabbed her phone and saw a text from Jack about two hours earlier while she was sleeping.

Sorry for not responding. After I got home from taking the latest victim's statement, I went home and crashed not realizing my phone was just about out of juice. Hope you weren't too worried. Wanna meet for coffee and catch up?

Lena found his story unconvincing but decided to go along with it for now. She didn't want to jump to any conclusions too soon.

No worries, glad you're ok. I can meet you in half an hour. Which coffee shop?

Ralph's Coffee on Madison. See ya soon.

As Lena drove to the coffee shop, her mental break was over. Her mind was swirling with questions. The long coat, the speed at which he arrived at the crime scene, and his sometimes seemingly nonchalant attitude about the case. The fact he was now driving solo and unsupervised also raised suspicion. But then she thought of his 25 years on the force with a strong reputation for catching the bad guys. Who was the real Jack Rourke?

Jack was already sitting on a stool at the coffee bar looking out the window when Lena arrived. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail. Jack wondered how she always looked so good after being up all night. Must be good genes he thought. If only they weren't partners. Then again, stranger things have happened.

Lena took her coat off and ordered their signature cheese and sausage breakfast sandwich and a cup of steaming hot coffee-black. Jack found a woman who drinks coffee black to be pretty damn attractive. Lena took in the cozy ambiance of the shop waking up to the fresh aroma of brewing coffee.

"So, what did you find out about the suspect at the hospital?" asked Jack while pouring three sugar packs in his refill.

"Not much, he didn't see anything particularly helpful. He said the vigilante wore a hoodie and might have blue eyes though he said he didn't see his face. Said he was strong and fast. He seemed eager to say whatever I wanted to hear so I didn't put much stock in anything he said. His description matched your average late forty year old. He even identified you as the vigilante. Isn't that funny?" She looked to see if he looked rattled. Nope. Total poker face.

"And here I thought I was one of a kind. Well, I interviewed the victim, LouAnn Raymond, but like the others she did not have much detail. She gave pretty much the same description as the attacker."

As Lena was looking out the window something all of a sudden struck her. Ralph's Coffee was directly across the street from the alley where Marisa Kline was attacked. She remembered Jack unexpectedly showing up at the scene with a cup of coffee in hand. What the hell? Now, she was conflicted and felt like she had lost sight of who he was. She had an upset stomach. As she contemplated all these realizations, she heard the ding of a text message coming from Jack's phone. However, she quickly noticed it wasn't coming from his phone on the counter; it was coming from his jacket pocket. Does she call him out on having a separate phone or play it cool? She decided to play it cool but knew she wanted a sneak peek at the phone.

Thankfully, about 20 minutes later, Jack excused himself to use the restroom. As soon as he was out of eyesight she reached into his pocket and pulled out the phone. She read the message:

Meet me at Uva's tonight at 6 pm. Make sure you're not followed.

She also read the text from the previous night that said;

"The heat's on. They're asking about you now. Better wrap this up."

She quickly replaced the phone in his pocket just as he snuck up behind her and grabbed her shoulders. "Miss me?" he said playfully. She almost tipped her coffee cup over. She then quickly regained her composure.

"You have no idea," she said hoping he didn't feel her nervous energy.

When the waitress put the check down, Jack scooped it up and immediately paid for it.

"Bet you didn't know I'm a gentleman."

Lena replied, "I think there's a lot of things I don't know about you," trying to sound playful.

They said they would meet up tonight before they started their night shifts in the parking lot at the station to review plans for the night.

Lena went back to her place and called her best friend Kristi with a big favor to ask. She knew it was wrong to involve her friend but she was on the verge of an important discovery so she proceeded. They exchanged pleasantries and then she got right to the point.

"Kristi, I have a huge favor to ask. It involves a case I'm working on. I can't tell you anything about the case but I'd like you to go undercover with me tonight. You'll be safe, I promise." She paused.

"Ok, Nancy Drew, you know I'm always fascinated by what you do. Do I get to carry a piece?"

"If only my job was as fascinating as you thought it was. Sorry, no piece," she said laughing a little.

Lena then filled her in on the plan. They would both disguise themselves as very average women as to not attract any attention. Being there with a friend throws off suspicion of a woman sitting alone at the bar.

They would arrive at 5:30, sit at the end of the bar so they would have a good viewpoint, and then order dinner and drinks and wait for Jack and his companion to show up. Lena appreciated Kristi's willingness to participate.

After the call ended she spent the afternoon working on her disguise. She bought a medium brown colored wig, brown color contacts, and a set of non prescription glasses. She went to Ross and bought nice but very plain black slacks and a button down cream blouse. No jewelry. By the end of the day, she felt confident about her disguise. She had gone undercover many times and was always convincing. However, there could always be a first so she knew not to let her guard down and get cocky.

She arrived at the restaurant promptly at 5:30 pm. Kristi was already there. She also was in a perfect disguise. They ordered their drinks and dinner and waited. She told Kristi that she had to work with Davidson again. Kristi remembered him from when Lena worked the Simmons case. He had botched evidence on a case about a brutal murderer and it ended up being thrown out. It caused Lena a lot of stress and almost her job.

Turned out Davidson was coerced into doing it by a corrupt captain and Lena exposed the captain's corruption. The captain was the nephew of the mayor so the case never saw the light of day and Lena was immediately transferred to a homicide department in a different district. She was surprised to see Davidson there when she arrived. Enough about him. They switched to talking about Kristi's new condo she just bought.

At 6 pm on the dot, she saw Jack walk through the door and approach the hostess stand. Her heart quickened. When the man with him finally appeared, her jaw dropped. How could this possibly be happening? She had never felt such unease.

Author Notes Hope you enjoy! This is a book coauthored by Begin Again (Carol) and me please stay tuned for Chapter 7 from Begin Again.


Please forgive any typos. I have to type on notebook on iPhone cause my laptop isn't working so it is very hard to catch. Please point them out to me and I will make corrections.


Chapter 7
In Plain Sight - Chap 7

By Begin Again

Uva's was warm and dimly lit, the kind of place that smelled like aged wine and rosemary flatbread. Lena sat at the end of the bar, nursing her drink while pretending to listen to Kristi go on about her new condo.

In truth, Lena's eyes were on the door. She glanced at the clock above the bar, heart thudding. The seconds crawled.

The door opened.

Jack stepped inside, casual and composed as ever, exchanging a word with the hostess. He looked like a man meeting a friend for a drink — not a suspect in Lena's unofficial investigation. But Lena saw the tension in his shoulders. The calculated scan of the room.

Then another man walked in behind him.

Lena's breath caught. Her jaw went slack. Kristi leaned in, whispering without moving her lips. "Is that who I think it is?"

Lena gave the tiniest nod, her eyes locked on the man, now clasping Jack's hand in a familiar shake. Captain Thomas Rylan.

He looked nothing like the disgraced officer who had left the department in scandal two years ago. Back then, his face had been hollow, haunted. But now? Now he looked like a man with a mission.

"He was exiled," Kristi murmured, shifting behind her menu. "Didn't they say he went to Costa Rica or something?"

"They said a lot of things," Lena replied, still staring.

Jack and Rylan followed the hostess to a booth near the back. From Lena's angle, she had a partial view, enough to see their faces when they leaned in, speaking low. Jack didn't look nervous. If anything, he looked focused.

"I thought you said Rylan was dirty," Kristi whispered.

"He was — is." Lena's voice caught. "I testified. I saw the documents. The transfer logs, the off-the-books surveillance fund. They traced it to his signature."

Kristi nudged her again. "Should we bail?"

Lena shook her head. "We stay." She grabbed her drink and stood. "We need to move."

Kristi blinked. "What?"

"Come on." Lena slipped past the bar and found an open booth three rows back, just enough distance to watch unseen. They slid into the seats, hearts pounding like they were teenagers sneaking into an R-rated movie.

Jack passed Rylan something small  — maybe a flash drive. Rylan pocketed it without a word. Their voices were too low to hear, but their posture said everything. This wasn't casual. This was something much more.

Kristi leaned in. "Are you sure you don't want to just walk over there?"

Lena shook her head. "I want answers, not a scene." But her fingers were already curling into fists.

She watched. Jack said something that made Rylan's jaw tighten. The older man nodded grimly. And Lena caught four words, whispered between them. "Davidson's deeper than we thought."

Her spine snapped straight. Kristi glanced at her, confused. Lena's face had gone pale. Davidson - her current partner, thanks to the Captain.

*****

When the check came, Rylan stood first, glancing around with subtle caution. He leaned in, said something low to Jack, and slipped toward the back hallway, toward the kitchen and back door.

Jack stayed behind, casually checking his phone. Trying to look relaxed.

Lena stayed frozen in her seat, watching it unfold like a scene from a movie she'd suddenly been written into.

Kristi whispered, "You okay?"

"No." Lena blinked. "Not even close."

*****
A few minutes later, Jack stood and made his way to the back of the restaurant.

The back door swung shut behind him as he stepped into the alley, walking briskly toward his car. He didn't expect the footsteps behind him.

"Jack!"

He kept walking.

"Jack!"

She grabbed his coat sleeve. He spun around, jaw tight, eyes burning.

"You followed me?" he snapped.

"You lied," Lena shot back. "Don't turn this around on me. Don't you dare play the victim," she hissed. "You've been lying to me for God knows how long. Showing up with coffee in hand at a crime scene across from this place. You want to talk about trust?"

"You were spying." His voice was low, clipped. "You snooped through my jacket. Now you're tailing me like I'm some kind of criminal"

"Because you're acting like one!" Lena snapped. "Rylan, Jack? Rylan? I testified against him. And now you're feeding him evidence in the back corner of a wine bar?"

"He's not who you think he is."

"Yeah, well, maybe you aren't either."

That stung. He didn't flinch, but she could see the restraint tightening in his jaw.
He took a step forward, close enough that she could see the storm behind his eyes. "You think I wanted to do this alone? I gave you every chance to ask — hell, I wanted you to ask. But instead, you went behind my back like some half-rate cop with a grudge."

"Oh, please," she said, laughing bitterly. "You wanted me to ask? Since when? Every time I questioned you, you deflected. Joked. Played the dumb partner routine."

"Because I knew what you'd do," he shot back. "I knew you'd jump to conclusions —just like you did with Rylan."

That hit her like a slap. "You think I took him down by accident? That I got it wrong?"

Jack's voice dropped. "I think someone made sure you'd think you were right. And they used you to do it."

She flinched. Just a flicker, but it was there. He saw it.

"That's bull," she said, softer now. "I saw the evidence. I built the case. I testified."

"Yeah," Jack said, his voice suddenly colder. "You did. And you're still so sure you're the only one who couldn't be played."

They stared at each other — neither willing to step back.

Finally, Jack's shoulders dropped just a fraction. "You don't have to believe me. But ask yourself something, Lena — if I were dirty — would I still be trying to protect you?"

That stopped her.

She stood there in the dark alley, heart slamming against her ribs. Her world was shifting under her feet as he walked away.

She turned and rushed back inside, needing to find Kristi. She needed someone to talk to. Someone who still made sense. She needed Kristi. Someone who hadn't lied. Someone safe.

Back inside, she froze. The booth was empty.

Kristi's jacket still hung on the back of the chair. Her glass sat sweating on the table. Her purse was gone.

Lena's phone buzzed in her coat pocket. She didn't even look at the caller ID. She just opened it.

A photo. Kristi — tied to a chair, mouth taped, eyes wide with panic. A man stood behind her, face obscured, one hand gripping her shoulder.

Underneath, a message: If you want to see your friend again, stop digging, Detective Hart. Some graves are meant to stay closed.

Lena's lungs stopped working. She shoved the phone in her pocket and bolted through the restaurant, through the back door, back into the alley. "JACK!" she screamed, spotting the taillights. "JACK, STOP!"

But the car didn't slow.

She chased it until her legs gave out, until the red lights turned a corner and vanished.

And then she stood in the middle of the road, heart breaking, mind racing. They had Kristi. And she was done waiting, done trusting, and done playing by the rules.
 

Author Notes This is a multi-author mystery novel written by Lori Mulligan and myself. Please check out the following chapter on Lori's site. I hope you are enjoying the story, and thank you for reviewing it.


Chapter 8
In Plain Sight Chapter 8

By Begin Again

Lena's head was swirling with possibilities of what was happening to her best friend and how she was responsible. But she knew she had to suppress those feelings to save her friend.

She went back into UVA's, grabbed Kristi's jacket and asked the staff if anyone had seen anything. The hostess said she saw a tall man with a grey hoodie walking her out holding her firmly by the elbow. She took notice of them because he had on black dress slacks with a grey hoodie, an odd combination. She also said that she looked like she didn't want to leave with him. Lena thanked her and gave her her card in case she thought of any other details.

These details left her more confused than ever, at first. Jack had driven off so it couldn't have been him circling back into the restaurant and Rylan was short and slender. His build didn't meet the profile.

All of a sudden everything added up! She was the target and Kristi had become Plan B! He must have followed Lena to the restaurant, inconspicuously sat at the bar, perhaps in disguise as well, tucking away the grey hoodie, and watched. Then, losing his advantage to take Lena because of the commotion with Jack he decided to take Kristi instead! Lena thought maybe Kristi was taken in a van because her picture of being bound and gagged arrived so fast, it had to happen in transit.

Another disturbing theory came to mind. If Jack and Rylan aren't dirty but actually trying to catch someone or some bodies in the department then she may have just put Jack and Rylan in jeopardy too! She felt nauseous and a headache coming on.

It was time to get a grip, think logically and take action. It was now 8:30. She had two and a half hours before her shift began with Davidson and when Jack would begin his as well.

She decided to return home and get out of her disguise, shower and get ready for work. She would use the time driving to process. As she walked through what she knew, she made the realization that Davidson, while likely dirty, is not the vigilante because he was with her the night of the last attack when Jack arrived on the scene first.

She also interpreted the burner phone message sent to Jack in the coffee shop in a new light. When the text said, the heat is on, they are on to you might mean that his cover was about to be blown not that Jack was in on it. She knew she had to make a quick decision about Jack. His comments about still protecting her really resonated.

She decided she would trust him while also keeping her eyes open to anything suspicious. But would he help her now after the terrible accusations she's made? He's met Kristi before and liked her so she thought she could persuade him. If not for her but for Kristi.

Time was of the essence. Every second that ticked by could cost Kristi her life or worse. She would call Jack when she got home.

Jack's phone rang four times before he picked up. "What do you want now, Lena? More insults to my character you care to make?" He said, clearly pissed off.

"Jack, I am so sorry and owe you a more thorough apology but Kristi was kidnapped from the restaurant. I received a photo of her tied up with tape over her mouth. The message said "If I ever wanted to see her again, stop digging. Some graves are meant to be left closed." She paused.

"Jesus Christ, Lena! Have you gone completely nuts putting your friend in jeopardy in a high stakes case like this! I used to really admire your skills but I don't know what's happening to you. I might not do every thing by the book but I've never jeopardized a civilian, especially not my best friend! And now you're turning to me for help when just a couple hours ago you accused me of being dirty! You have a helluva lot of nerve!"

Lena paused before she spoke, uncertain of what she will say next will be enough to persuade him.

"I know, Jack. But there is no time right now to further berate me or cut me off. We've got to work together for Kristi's sake."

Jack was silent for what seemed like an eternity to Lena. Finally he broke his silence and said, "Ok, Lena, you're right we have got to save Kristi. I need to think this over in terms of how we proceed. Let's met at 10:30 in the garage before Davidson shows up and we start our shifts."

"Thanks, Jack," Lena said, knowing saying anymore at this point would be a mistake. She finished getting ready for work.

At 10:15, she decided to take an Uber from the side exit of her building so she wouldn't be followed. Time to start thinking smart again.

She got out of the Uber at the entrance to the garage, right at 10:30, looking over her shoulder the whole time as she walked across the dimly lit garage. Next, she spotted Jack's car, opened the door to the passenger seat, took a seat next to Jack, who was sipping on a Ralph's cup of black coffee.

Looking at the cup stirred up bad memories for Lena from reading the text messages on his burner phone, to being situated directly across from the alley where one of the attacks took place, and remembering Jack showing up unexpectedly with a cup of Ralph's in hand at the crime scene.

"Lena, here's what I think we need to do at this point." Just as he said that his burner phone vibrated in his pocket.

The text said, "Lena has really complicated things. You're in imminent danger now. Stick to business as usual, back off for a bit."

Jack texted back. "Can't do that. Lena's best friend Kristi is missing from UVA's."

Next text: "I already know that. We will take care of finding Kristi. You and Lena have to stay safe now. Proceed with caution."

With that the lights flickered, plunging them into total darkness. Racing heartbeats practically echoed in the car. Their deep exhales fogging up the windows, making it even harder to see.

Next came a loud knock on Lena's window. They both jumped in their seats, startled. Now what?

Author Notes Sorry for the delay. Had personal issues that took priority. Hope you will find it was worth the wait.

Begin Again (Carol) and I are co authoring this story so please keep a look out for her chapter 9!


Chapter 9
In Plain Sight Chap 9

By Begin Again

Lena's breath caught as she turned toward the window. A figure loomed outside, partially obscured by a dark hoodie, gloved knuckles tapping again, harder this time. Jack instinctively reached toward his revolver, whispering urgently, "Don't move."

But Lena had already recognized the cold eyes behind the hoodie — Detective Davidson.

Before she could react, Jack's door jerked open. He spun around, coffee spilling. A second figure, masked and agile, delivered a swift blow to his head with the butt of a handgun. Jack slumped forward, stunned, blood trickling down his temple.

"Jack!" Lena shouted, reaching for him, but Davidson yanked open her door, pulling her from the car by her arm.

"Let me go!" she shouted, kicking furiously at his shins. Davidson grimaced but didn't falter, gripping tighter.

"Keep quiet, or Jack's a dead man," Davidson hissed, his voice trembling with urgency and menace. Lena glanced back, fear surging as she saw Jack slumped motionless behind the wheel.

A dark van suddenly stopped behind Jack's car, and the sliding door slammed open. Davidson barked orders to his accomplice as he pushed Lena toward the van. "Hurry up! We don't have much time!"

But instead of helping, his accomplice turned sharply, raising the gun toward Davidson.

"What the —" Davidson barely had time to register betrayal before the shot rang out, echoing harshly through the garage.

Lena screamed as Davidson fell to the concrete, clutching his side, gasping for breath.

Jack's vision blurred as he forced himself upright, grabbing his revolver from its holster. As the masked figure shoved Lena roughly into the van and slammed the door shut, Jack raised his gun, firing twice at the escaping vehicle. Tires squealed, echoing off the concrete walls as the van sped away, leaving Davidson bleeding on the concrete.

"Davidson!" Jack croaked, staggering forward. He dropped to his knees beside the detective, eyes wide as he saw blood soaking Davidson's side, pooling rapidly onto the garage floor.

"Hang on," Jack muttered, grabbing Davidson's jacket and pressing firmly to stem the bleeding. But it was useless — blood seeped relentlessly through Jack's fingers, staining his hands and sleeves crimson.

Behind him, the garage filled with shouts, footsteps pounding urgently across the concrete. Police units had arrived, guns drawn, aimed, instantly sizing up the scene — Jack kneeling beside Davidson, covered in blood, revolver inches away.

"Move away from the weapon!" an officer barked sharply, pointing his gun directly at Jack's chest.

Jack turned slowly, dazed, trying to process the order. "Wait —it's not— "

"Now, Jack! Hands up!"

Instinctively raising his blood-covered hands, Jack stood shakily. "It wasn't me! Davidson's partner took Lena! We have to—"

"He shot me," Davidson mumbled weakly, eyes fluttering open, glazed but aware enough to register the officers surrounding him. With a trembling hand, Davidson pointed at Jack, gasping, barely audible. "Jack — shot me—"

Shock rippled across Jack's face. "What? No! Davidson, tell them the truth!"

A detective stepped forward cautiously, retrieving Jack's revolver from the floor. "Gun's warm. Recently fired," he confirmed solemnly.

Jack shook his head fiercely, panic rising. "You can't seriously believe —"

Davidson coughed painfully, struggling for breath as paramedics arrived, carefully shifting him onto a gurney.

Jack surged forward, gripping the detective's jacket. "Davidson! Tell them who really shot you! Tell them who took Lena! You know I didn't do this!"

Chaos erupted as officers pulled Jack away. "Let him go, Jack!"

"He's lying!" Jack yelled, struggling against their grip. "Davidson, damn it, talk! Lena's life depends on it!"

Paramedics swiftly moved Davidson toward the ambulance, leaving Jack in the firm grip of his colleagues. Sirens wailed as more cars arrived, bathing the grim scene in red and blue lights.

"Jack, you have to come with us. Now," the detective said firmly, signaling to another officer, "Cuff him."

*****
Detective Davidson's eyelids fluttered, slowly adjusting to the lights of the hospital room. Pain radiated through his side, each breath an agonizing reminder of the betrayal he'd just experienced. Blurred faces hovered above him — medical staff, detectives, familiar yet distant voices asking urgent questions.

A detective leaned close, speaking clearly, "Davidson, we need to know who shot you. Jack's prints were all over the scene. Your blood's on his car. I want to believe you, but it's a stretch to think Jack did this?"

Davidson's mind raced, panic gripping his chest. He realized the implications — accusing Jack could divert attention from himself, buy him time, or maybe protect him. But another thought emerged sharply through the haze of medication — if his accomplice turned on him so readily, his own survival hinged on full disclosure.

He swallowed painfully, eyes darting around the room before settling back on the detective. He drew in a shaky breath and whispered hoarsely, "Jack shot me."

The detective narrowed his eyes suspiciously but jotted down notes anyway. "Are you sure that's your final statement?"

Davidson met his gaze briefly, masking fear with forced conviction. "I'm sure."

As the detective turned to leave, Davidson sank back against the pillow, grimacing — fully aware he'd sealed Jack's fate. He hoped the move would buy him protection, but dread coiled in his stomach; it wouldn't take long before someone tried to silence him permanently.

*****

Jack sat hunched forward at the battered table in the interrogation room. His knuckles were bruised — fists clenched tight in frustration. His head throbbed beneath bandages, and the blood-stained clothes emphasized the seriousness of his predicament.

"I told you ten damn times already!" Jack shouted at the closed door, voice reverberating angrily off cold walls. "Davidson set me up. Someone took Lena! Every minute I waste here, she's in greater danger!"

He paced restlessly, fury boiling over, breath ragged. Finally, an officer entered, expression wary, offering a phone. "You got your call. Make it quick."

Jack snatched the receiver, hands trembling as he punched the numbers he knew by heart. After two rings, a familiar voice answered— "Captain Rylan."

"It's Jack. We've got big trouble, Cap."

"Yeah, the grapevine's on fire. They're saying you shot Davidson."

"Cap, how does that explain that Lena's missing? Davidson was in on it, and for whatever reason, they shot him."

"They probably did us a favor. But the truth is, if you'd done it, he wouldn't still be breathing."

"You've got to get me out of here. Lena's life depends upon it."

"Hang tight, Jack," Rylan assured him. "I'll handle this. I've still got a few friends."

*****
Davidson sat quietly in a wheelchair, tension tightening his spine as an orderly wheeled him back from the X-ray department. His thoughts raced — Jack, Lena, the man who'd shot him. He knew accusing Jack wouldn't protect him for long. The real assailant would return to finish him off. Davidson's mind raced with plans, desperate to save himself and maybe rectify the mess later — if he could survive long enough.

His eyes widened as he spotted a figure approaching from down the corridor. Davidson's pulse quickened. He recognized that lean frame and dark, piercing eyes — Marco Reyes, his former accomplice, his would-be assassin.

His breath caught painfully in his throat. Davidson's eyes darted rapidly for escape routes. Fate intervened — a nurse tripped, dropping a tray of instruments, causing chaos as equipment scattered loudly across the floor.

The orderly stopped abruptly, distracted by the noise. "You okay?" he asked, stepping quickly to assist the fallen nurse.

Adrenaline surged. Davidson seized the opportunity, painfully forcing himself upright, stifling a groan as stitches tore slightly. With no time to spare, he slipped unnoticed into a nearby staff closet.

Heart hammering, Davidson rummaged frantically through neatly hung uniforms, quickly grabbing an intern's coat, mask, and hospital ID badge. He shed his bloody hospital gown, slipping into the disguise, hands shaking.

He stood in the darkness, listening as muffled voices called out urgently outside. Taking a shaky breath, he whispered fiercely to himself, "Now or never," before stepping quietly back into the corridor, blending into the bustle of medical staff and moving quickly toward the commotion.
 
Davidson kept his head low, glancing cautiously from beneath the brim of a surgical cap. A few steps ahead, Marco Reyes stood stiffly, scanning each passing face with suspicion. Davidson steadied his breath, his heartbeat roaring in his ears.

"Doctor!" a nurse's voice startled him, freezing him mid-step. He turned slowly, feigning composure as the nurse hurried closer, thrusting a medical chart toward him. "We need a doctor's signature urgently."

Davidson cleared his throat roughly, taking the clipboard and scribbling illegibly. "Sure thing," he muttered, handing it back, avoiding eye contact.

Marco Reyes turned, his gaze landing momentarily on Davidson. 
 
Davidson's pulse spiked. He held his breath, forcing himself to walk casually, nodding politely to another nurse.

Reyes hesitated briefly before moving on, evidently fooled for now.

Davidson quickly ducked around a corner and through a stairwell door. Leaning against the cold concrete wall, he exhaled raggedly, knees nearly buckling. He knew his luck wouldn't last; Reyes would double back soon.

"Think!" he muttered. "If I don't get out of here, I am a dead man."

******

Musty air hit Lena's face as the door opened. A pair of hands shoved her forward. She stumbled, nearly falling as she was propelled down a steep flight of stairs.

"Get moving," a harsh voice ordered.

At the bottom, the heavy door's hinges groaned as it opened. Lena's eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness. The hands released her suddenly, and she fell forward, scraping her palms on the rough cement floor.

The door slammed shut behind her, echoing with a metallic clang. Lena gasped, fear gripping her chest as she tried to push herself upright.

"Lena?" A weak voice whispered from somewhere in the darkness.

Heart hammering, Lena squinted desperately into the shadows, recognizing the voice immediately. "Kristi? Oh my God!" 
 
A soft moan led Lena's gaze toward a dark corner. Crawling forward, wincing at the slime on her hands, Lena saw her friend curled on the ground, hands bound tightly behind her back, tape peeling from her mouth. Kristi's face was pale and bruised, her eyes glassy from fear and exhaustion.

"Kristi!" Lena choked out, relief and anguish mixing as she reached her friend's side. She gently touched Kristi's face, brushing away tangled strands of hair. "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

Kristi blinked weakly, shaking her head slightly. "Lena — I knew you'd find me. But why you too?"

Lena swallowed painfully, anger and determination swelling inside her. "I don't know what's happening, but I won't stop until I get us out of here. You hear me? Stay strong, Kristi. We're getting out of here together."

She glanced around the room again — no windows, no clear exit. All she saw was damp walls, old crates stacked, and shadows.

As Lena pulled Kristi close, whispering hope to her friend, she silently promised herself she'd find a way out — whatever it took.

Outside, footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing louder and closer.

"Hold on tight," Lena whispered, her voice barely audible as she hugged Kristi tighter. "No matter what happens next, I won't leave you."

Kristi squeezed Lena's hand weakly as the footsteps halted outside the door.

Then came the slow, ominous scrape of a key sliding into the lock. Lena closed her eyes and inhaled, wondering, "Now what?"
 

Author Notes Thank you for continuing to follow this multi-author book. I hope you will check out Lori Mulligan and the next chapter. I am sure she will entertain your senses and keep you on the edge of your seat. Enjoy!


Chapter 10
In Plain Sight Chapter 10

By Begin Again

End of Chapter 9


Kristi squeezed Lena's hand weakly as the footsteps halted outside the door.

Then came the slow, ominous scrape of a key sliding into the lock. Lena closed her eyes and inhaled, wondering, "Now what?"

Chapter 10

As the door creaked opened, Lena watched in utter disbelief as Captain O'Malley walked in, casually dressed, with his revolver drawn at the two of them. The women gasped. Kristi held on tighter.

"You just couldn't stop meddling, Lena. I didn't want you at my department because I heard of your nosy reputation but I couldn't put up much of a fuss because I knew it would look suspicious," said O'Malley.

"And you must have deliberately brought Davidson in so you could work closer together on whatever corrupt operations you have going on. The vigilante was a mere diversion so your top detectives didn't ferret out the real truth. And you paired me with Davidson so when the right moment came along..." Lena summarized in a matter of fact tone that belied her fear. "But why shoot Davidson? And why not kill Jack?" Lena's detective instincts kicked back in while still afraid for her life and Kristi's.

"You are one smart ladyâ€"too smart. I had Davidson killed because he was having trouble following through with you because his attraction to you was getting the better of him and I didn't like it. So now I'm left taking matters into my own hands. As for Jack, I thought it would be much more fun to frame him and see him go down. But enough talking, time to take care of business."

He pulled back the trigger and just as he did, he felt the cold metal of a gun barrel pressed against the back of his skull. It was Jack.

"Put the gun down now or I will gladly blow your brains out here and now." When Lena heard Jack's voice the relief overwhelmed her and she had to hold back tears.

"You two ok over there? Paramedics are on their way." They both said yes.

Knowing Jack was one who said what he meant, O'Malley slowly dropped the gun. Jack kicked the gun towards Lena, who immediately picked it up and pointed it at O'Malley. Trembling a little at first, she soon was in control, ready to do whatever was necessary.

O'Malley inquired, "I thought you had been arrested? Well, at least with Davidson dead, I don't have to worry about him giving up anything."

"It sure is your lucky day. First, Rylan informed top brass that my cover had been blown and they immediately released me. And Davidson, I'm sure you'll love this, he survived and turned himself in out of fear and will spill all the beans for immunity. Then he will be relocated some place far far away, never to be found again by the likes of you or Reyes or any of the others in on this," said Jack with a mix of pride and intense animosity.

"How did you find me?" O'Malley asked curiously.

"Davidson tipped us off right away, you jack ass," said Jack irritated with such a foolish question.

As Jack cuffed the Captain, EMTs arrived on the scene to help Kristi and Lena. They decided to take them to the hospital and get them checked out. Officers took O'Malley into custody and were sure to mirandize him. He shouted one last thing, "You don't have enough evidence to hold up in court!"

Jack smiled and didn't respond. He thought of the flash drive in Rylan's possession.

After Lena was released from the hospital, he planned to take her out for dinner and finally reveal what was on the flash drive. Just how deep did the corruption go? Who was the vigilante? And what bearing does this case have on the future of the department and for Lena and Jack?

Author Notes Hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Stay tuned for my co author’s chapter 11 from Begin Again (Carol).


Chapter 11
In Plain Sight Chap 11

By Begin Again

Lori Mulligan - Chapter 10 Ending
 
As Jack cuffed the Captain, EMTs arrived on the scene to help Kristi and Lena. They decided to take them to the hospital and get them checked out. Officers took O'Malley into custody and were sure to mirandize him. He shouted one last thing, "You don't have enough evidence to hold up in court!"

Jack smiled and didn't respond. He thought of the flash drive in Rylan's possession.

After Lena was released from the hospital, he planned to take her out for dinner and finally reveal what was on the flash drive. Just how deep did the corruption go? Who was the vigilante? And what bearing does this case have on the future of the department and for Lena and Jack?
 
 
CHAPTER 11

A voice crackled over the intercom. "Detective Jack Rourke, please report to the nurse's station."

Jack frowned, set down his coffee, and headed down the corridor, muttering, "Now what?"

He'd been assaulted by someone, interrogated by his own team, and jailed, and his partner had been abducted and rescued by Captain Rylan, a man with his own problems. His head was spinning, wondering what else could go wrong.

As he turned the corner, his hand went instinctively to his sidearm. Chaos was unfolding. One of the nurses stood frozen, wide-eyed, with her trembling hands raised. A masked man stood behind her, pressing a gun against her head.

"Easy!" Jack barked as he drew his gun. "Let her go."

The man didn't flinch. The malicious grin said it all. "You're too late. They're coming for all of you."

Jack moved slowly, his voice level. "I don't care who's coming, pal. Right now, it's just you and me. Put the gun down. This doesn't have to end badly."

One of the other nurses tried to slip away. A shot rang out, and she fell to the floor, screaming. The other nurses followed suit.

The man swung the gun toward Jack, but Jack was faster. One shot to the shoulder and the assailant collapsed, groaning.

The nurse fell to her knees, sobbing. Jack moved swiftly to her side, checking the man's weapon and kicking it away. He snapped on the cuffs. "Call security. Can any of you handle a gun?"

The RN nodded and held out her hand. Jack picked up the assailant's gun and handed it to her. "If he moves, shoot him."

That's when the phone on the desk rang.

Hands shaking, another nurse picked it up and passed it to Jack. "It's for you," she choked.

Jack took it. "Rourke."

"Jack, it's Rylan. Listen carefully — we've been compromised. Trouble is coming."

Jack straightened, heart already picking up pace. "It's already here, Cap. I just took one out at the nurse's station."

"There will be more. Get Lena out of there — now." The line went dead.

Jack didn't hesitate. He grabbed his gun, bolted from the nurse's station, and sprinted down the corridor toward Lena's room, his pulse hammering with each step.

As he rushed inside, Lena turned to him, her eyes questioning the gunshots she'd heard. "Jack, what's going on?"

"We've got company! Rylan says there are more on the way."

"Who?" Lena, her voice strained, asked. "O'Malley's in custody. Wasn't he the mastermind behind all this?"

"Guess not? There's a bigger mastermind pulling strings; right now, you and I are in his sights."

Jack's phone vibrated harshly, shattering the tension. He glanced at the screen, and his expression darkened.

"Jack? What's wrong?" Lena demanded sharply.
 
"Nothing that won't wait. Let's go."

Lena swung her legs over the bed, ignoring the wave of dizziness that swept over her.

Suddenly, the hospital lights flickered ominously, plunging them briefly into darkness. Lena's breath quickened.

Jack's eyes narrowed, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon. "They're here. And they're not waiting for us to make the next move."

Glass shattered down the hall, followed by panicked screams. The threat had arrived.

Chaos erupted in the hallway. Nurses shouted. Someone cried out. Lena was halfway off the bed when she froze. "Jack! Where's my clothes? I can't run through a hospital in this!"

Jack glanced at her, finally registering the thin hospital gown open in the back and her bare legs. "Women! Somebody is trying to kill you, and you're going to worry about what you're wearing?" He darted to the cabinet across the room, yanked it open, and grabbed a spare gown. Tossing it to her, he said, "Put this on over it."

She caught it and scowled. "Another gown? Seriously?"

"Lena, right now, we need to worry about staying alive. We'll worry about style and shoes later."

She huffed but pulled the gown over her shoulders and tied it with a quick knot. "You owe me boots, coffee, and a week without gunfire."

Jack smirked. "Deal."

He pulled Lena off the bed, guiding her toward the far wall. "We can't stay here," he muttered. 

Lena stumbled, catching herself on the IV pole. Thankful for her medical training, she removed the IV from her arm, pressing her fingers against the wound while she grabbed a band-aid from the stand. "What about Kristi?"

Jack's jaw tensed. "I don't know. Officers were posted outside her room, but if they're coming for us, they might be going for her, too. They won't want any loose ends."

A loud crack split the air —  a gunshot. Plaster exploded near the door. Jack returned fire as he kicked over a rolling tray, using it for partial cover.

He pulled Lena behind him. "We need to make it to the east stairwell. Emergency exit. Back-up is coming, but that doesn't help us now."

They ducked low, weaving through overturned gurneys and terrified staff and patients. Two masked men in tactical gear appeared at the end of the corridor. Jack fired again, forcing them back.

Alarms began to wail. Red lights spun.

"Go, go!" Jack shouted, pushing Lena through a set of double doors.
They burst into the stairwell just as another shot rang out behind them. Jack slammed the door shut and spotted a discarded janitor's mop handle. He wedged it between the handle and railing to slow any pursuers.

Lena leaned against the wall, panting. "Who are these people, Jack? This isn't just about corruption. This is military-level precision."

Jack nodded grimly. "They're cleaning house. And we're the mess."

They descended two flights before stopping. Jack checked his phone. Nothing about back-up.

Suddenly, the stairwell door above them burst open. Jack raised his weapon instinctively.

"Hold your fire! It's me!" a voice barked. It was the Captain.

He appeared, flanked by two tactical officers in full body armor. "We've got more men sweeping the building, but we don't have long. They came in through the service tunnels. Someone on the inside helped them."

Lena blinked. "How did you get here so fast?"

"Helicopter," Rylan said. "It's on the roof — our only way out now. We clear the stairwell and move."

Jack nodded. "Lead the way."

They climbed quickly, with Jack helping Lena while the others covered them. Gunfire echoed below. Rylan's men returned fire as the team reached the top.
Bursting onto the rooftop, the thumping rotors of the chopper nearly drowned out the chaos below. Rylan signaled the pilot as more masked attackers stormed through the stairwell entrance.

Jack turned, firing off a final round before grabbing Lena's hand. He lifted her into the chopper and then leaped into the open bay.

As the doors slid shut and the helicopter lifted off, Lena slumped into a seat, her pulse still hammering. The city lights spun beneath them as the building shrank into the darkness.

Jack leaned forward, nodding toward the pilot. "Who's flying this thing?"

Rylan turned, his expression unreadable. "A friend. Someone with connections."

The pilot glanced back briefly, his eyes hidden by dark sunglasses despite the night. "Name's Reyes."

Lena stiffened. "Reyes? As in the Reyes O'Malley used to work with?"

"Afraid so," Rylan confirmed. "Before you panic, he's been working undercover for me. He came to me a few weeks ago with intel — he wants protection in exchange for cooperation. And right now, he's our only link to whoever's still pulling strings."

Reyes gave a crooked smile. "Let's just say I don't like being on the losing side. You help me disappear, and I'll help you find the vigilante. And maybe — unravel the rest of O'Malley's crew since he's dead."

Jack and Lena exchanged a glance.  Lena shouted, "Dead? How?"

Reyes responded stiffly. "He never made it to booking. They found him and the two officers transporting him dead in the squad car. It looked professional —clean shot through the windows."

Jack stared outside. "Taking out O'Malley means they are playing hardball, and no one is safe."

"Strap in," Rylan added. "I'll get you out of this mess, and then we can talk about what I know about O'Malley and the vigilante."

"We've got to find out who he is first," Lena shouted over the noise.

"We will," Jack said. "But first — we survive this."

Author Notes Thanks for following our multi author story. Be sure to catch Lori Mulligan's next chapter.


Chapter 12
In Plain Sight Chapter 12

By Begin Again

Lena called Kristi immediately from the helicopter to make sure she was ok. Kristi said she snuck out during the commotion and was in an Uber headed towards her sister in Brooklyn.

Relieved and exhausted, Lena rested her head on Jack’s shoulders. He put his arm around her. They simultaneously let out a deep exhale. 

“You ok?” whispered Jack. 

“Jack, I’m only wearing two thin hospital gowns, no-slip socks, and it’s freezing up here, so I’ll let you deduce how I’m feeling, Detective,” she said sarcastically. 

“And here I thought we were sharing a tender moment,” he quipped. 

Lena rolled her eyes, holding back a smile. 

They landed in a field outside of New York City and a black SUV with dark windows was waiting with the engine running and Rylan, Jack and Lena jumped in.

Rylan reached over the back seat and threw a duffle bag at Lena. “Here are some clothes and shoes to change into. Hop in the third row and change. I’ll keep Mr Wandering Eyes from looking back, right Jack?”

“Always a gentlemen, Captain.” After she got back over the seat, the three of them caught their breath for a minute.

They watched as Reese took off in the air and then about 30 seconds later, they  watched, to their dismay, as the helicopter crashed and exploded. Reyes was dead.

None of them spoke for a minute—horrified. 

Then Jack spoke up, “I’m assuming the helicopter was supposed to crash with us in it but something went wrong. I don’t mean to be cold but we have no time to mourn, we must come up with a contingency plan.” Rylan and Lena, still in shock, nodded their heads in agreement. 

Jack spoke again. “I think we need to take advantage of the bad guys thinking we’re dead to throw off their trail and let us operate covertly.”

Rylan said, “Jack, I lost all my media contacts when they crucified me as a dirty Captain. Can you pull some strings and get the news out that you two are dead and an unnamed pilot was dead? Don’t mention me.” 

Rylan asked Jack if he knew of some solid, good cops to “investigate” the crash. He said he would take care of it and immediately got on the phone. 

About 30 minutes later, two cops, arriving in an unmarked car, were there in Westchester County. When they were done they gave Jack a false police report and he had one of the officers call it in to one of his media contacts.

Rylan said he was taking them to the Westchester County Police Department to get them out of sight while they plan their next moves. He said he made arrangements to have a conference room for them to discuss strategies and operations. 

Then Rylan said, “Since the Captain is on vacation, he graciously offered his office for you two to share at night.” They each said in a high pitched tone, “To share?”

“You two are adults so I expect you can cohabitate for a few days without any funny business, right Jack? “

“Always a gentlemen, Captain,” he said. But he felt his pulse and heart beating rapidly. 

Lena didn’t say anything but was quietly happy. She wasn’t going to let anything happen between them but he made her feel safe.

Rylan walked them to the Captain’s corner office. Inside was a long couch with a pullout bed, a few chairs at his desk, gray metal filing cabinets and a large bathroom with a walk-in shower. 

“I will go into town tomorrow afternoon after we meet at 0630 for a briefing and buy you some clothes, pajamas and toiletries. Have a good night.” He closed the door behind him. 

“What side of the bed do you want?” asked Lena. 

“Ladies choice.”

“Ok, I will take the left.” She looked over at Jack and he had crawled into the right side already. Within minutes he was snoring up a storm. She got in on her side and the heat coming from his body felt good. “Oh brother,” she whispered quietly to herself. 

Before they knew it was 5:00 am, time to get ready. They took turns showering, each getting dressed by themselves in the bathroom. 

Jack took notice again of how good she looked with little sleep. 

They met Rylan in the conference room at exactly 0630 and they were both happy to see a Keurig they could help themselves to with non refrigerated creamers on the coffee bar with several ceramic coffee mugs to choose from. 

Rylan started things off by saying, “Ok, let’s get right to it. I asked an officer to identify those bad guys who were dead at the hospital and he said no identities were made and they checked and found none were police. Their weapons were definitely military weapons meant to do serious damage.”

Lena asked, “What are we dealing with here? Certainly sounds bigger than anything O’Malley could pull off and certainly makes it clear that the vigilante was a diversion so they could do some serious unlawful acts.”

Jack chimed in as Rylan inserted the USB flash drive into his laptop. “The flash drive is what I grabbed from O’Malley’s coat pocket one day when I was searching his office. I immediately gave it to Rylan at Uva’s because I knew it was too dangerous for me to hold onto. Rylan?”

“Well, here’s several tabs labeled Manhattan. On one tab were security companies and after we investigated we found they were bogus companies and actually had military contractors for hire for discrete work."

The next tab showed a surveillance log and a bunch of initials from the security companies matched to released criminals for assault. The next column showed when they should be followed with no particular pattern to throw off suspicion. No more than one incident happened on the same day. This explained how they knew where to find them potentially committing a crime. 

The next four tabs were labeled by the four remaining boroughs of NYC—Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn and The Bronx. Each one had same collection of data. Jack and Lena were surprised to find such a wide spread network of corruption. Who was running the show they all wondered? They also realized there’s not just one vigilante but at least one in each borough. 

Just as Rylan was about to show another spreadsheet beyond vigilantism, Lena’s phone buzzed. The text read, “I know you’re alive, time is running out.” Lena felt dizzy and almost blacked out.

Author Notes Hope you enjoyed this chapter and will tune in for Begin Again’s (Carol’s) chapter 13! Coming soon!

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