Chapter Eighty-Three: Undercover

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The men assembled in the garage after the briefing the following morning, getting ready for Jay and Johnny to head to Petrocellis' warehouse.

"You sure about this?" Hank looked at the young Detective as his old friend was talking to Antonio and Al over by the cage.
"Already asked and answered Sarge," Jay reminded, referring to their conversation before breakfast at the house.
"Okay," the older man looked over to where Johnny stood, "you remember this is Johnnys' choice. He needs a chance to make things right. Hopefully all goes well and he'll get a chance of a new start."
"The only thing that worries me is .....," Jays' voice trailed off as he looked from his Superior to Adam who had just joined them.
"Sorry, this a private conversation?" the newcomer asked with a frown.
"Is it?" Hank checked with the pale Detective.
"No. Just keep this between us okay?"
"Go on. What's worrying you." Adam urged after Hank and himself had nodded in agreement.
"When he agreed to do this and I explained about the Witness Protection Programme Johnny didn't seem too upset about never seeing his father again. Didn't even check to see if there was a deal that could be worked out for him."
"And you're only coming to me with your concern now?" Hanks' displeasure was clear.
"It just struck me now," Jay ducked his head guiltily.
"Fair enough," Adam conceded ignoring the pointed glare from his boss, "you do have a lot on your plate right now anyway but I already thought of that. Reckon Johnny and his old man haven't been close for years."
"You spoke to him about his father?" Jay queried.
"Well when I started thinking like you did it seemed best to find out the relationship between them," Adam shrugged a shoulder, "spoke to him yesterday afternoon. Meant to tell you but you were in the shower when I got back to the house and I got called back to the station before I could talk to you."
"Well does that ease your mind Kid?" Hank asked quietly, his earlier anger dissipating quickly.
"Yeah I guess it does," Jay admitted reluctantly, he still had a feeling he was missing something.
"What's worrying you?" Adam looked at his friend carefully, sensing he had something on his mind.
"It's nothing," Jay quickly dismissed the question not willing to bring up his misgivings for fear the operation would be called off, "so ye'll look after Will while I'm gone? Ye'll tell him not to worry? He needs to remember this is my job."
"Oh I'll be sure to tell him that," Adam pointed out sarcastically as he rolled his eyes, "Sarge maybe I should go in with Jay? Might be safer."
"Probably," Hank chuckled knowing they were going to have their hands full dealing with the elder sibling.

"So you ready for this?" Al asked the youngest Jackson.
"Yeah. We've been over this. I stick to the truth when I can. Jay Sullivan is an old friend from school. We grew up together ......

Adam looked across at the three men by the cage and noted something which surprised him. Johnny was talking to the two Detectives but he appeared surprisingly calm compared to how he had been since his arrest. He looked at Jay who was making a final call to his brother before he went under. The redhead had been on the night shift and as the Unit had left the house early the two men had not had a chance for a proper goodbye. Adam noticed the exasperation on the other mans' features as he walked over to the door and headed back up to the office.

"Look Will I only rang to say goodbye," Jay spoke impatiently as he headed over to his desk and threw a nod to Mouse who was, as ever, glued to his monitor.
"I know that.  All I'm saying is be careful," the elder sibling cautioned as he sat in the kitchen of the safe house with Conor.
"You've told me that already.  You need to trust me to do my job."
"Jay I'll always trust you.  It's the people you're going after I don't trust.  How are you doing this morning?"
"I'm good.  Nearly ready to head out."
"Well don't forget just cause you're undercover doesn't mean you can ignore the concussion.  Rest if you have to."
"Will I'll talk to you when I can," Jay decided to ignore the advice rather than arguing he wasn't going on a play date, "you don't be giving Voight grief.  He's still my boss."
"You're just jealous I can say anything I want to him."
"That works both ways," Jay stated confidently.
"What do you mean?" Will sat up straighter in his chair.
"Well since you like being so buddy buddy with Voight figure it's about time I return the favour."
"What .....,"
"Ms. Goodwin is a lovely lady .....,"
"You wouldn't!"
"Wanna bet? Bye Will," Jay hung up with a chuckle.

"What is it?" Conor looked at a stunned Will.
"My kid brother just decided to get payback on me."
"For what?"
"I'll tell you another time.  Anyway hopefully by the time he's undercover stint is finished he'll have forgotten it."
"That likely to happen?"
"Nope," Will grimaced before becoming serious, "still can't believe he's doing this."
"It's his job," the Surgeon reminded, "besides from the little he said about Johnny he wasn't going to let an opportunity to help him go by."
"You've been more accepting about this than I thought you would be."
"I'm not going to lie," Conor stood and went over to refill his coffee mug, "I'm worried about him but my arguing with him wasn't going to change the outcome.  Once Voight gave him the go ahead there was no going back.  You know that."
"I know.  Timing is lousy though."
"Jay can deal with a lot. I just hope it works out alright for Johnny."
"Yeah.  I know they're anxious to get the Gun Dealer but I know for Jay Johnny is the priority.  I just hope he can be relied on."
"Adam said they trust him not to harm Jay," Conor offered as he returned to his seat.
"Well I don't know him but even if he doesn't intend to get Jay hurt there are bound to be plenty of things that can blow Jays' cover."
"It's like Antonio told you the other day Will.  There's no point in worrying about the 'what ifs' . It won't achieve anything. Of course I know that won't stop you worrying but just remember we're all going to be in the same boat with you."
"Just wish he was back already," Will admitted with a sigh as the dull skies outside finally shed their load.

Across town Johnny was driving a grey pick up truck with Jay in the passenger seat.  The rains had turned torrential as they headed for the warehouse.

"Listen Jay I just want to say I really appreciate this," Johnny looked across briefly at his passenger before returning his attention to the street.
"Already told you there's nothing to thank me for. Voight is in charge. It was his decision to do this."
"Yeah but you wouldn't let him send anyone else in," Johnny countered, "I know you fought to be the one coming in with me."
"You've a vivid imagination."
"I know you too well."
"Just drive," Jay shook his head as he looked out the passenger window.
"You know he's going to check you out? My word isn't going to be enough for him."
"Sure," Jay frowned, "we've been over this.  You nervous?"
"Are you?"
"Yeah I am.  Be a fool not to be."
"What if it goes wrong?"
"There's no guarantee it won't but this is your best shot at getting a second chance.  Doubt if you'll get another one.  Johnny this life isn't for you.  You know that."
"I never would have thought it was but one misstep just seemed to follow another and all of a sudden I'm part of Petrocellis' organisation."
"But you stayed away from drugs."
"Yeah.  Had plenty of problems with gambling.  Didn't need any more."
"You didn't set out to become embroiled in gambling debts Johnny.  People like Petrocelli seek out anyone with debts they can exploit."
"Wish I'd just said 'no' when they made the loan offer.  I was so stupid!  All I could see was a way to get out from under this weight on my shoulders.  Truth is I didn't want to think about it too much so I accepted."
"And from then you were at Petrocellis' mercy," Jay observed quietly as they finally turned onto Lincoln, "you just have to get through the next few days or weeks.  We're in this together Johnny.  I promise."
"I know that Jay.  You were the only one I could ever trust."
"Let's just concentrate on what we have to do," Jay instructed as Johnny pulled the truck into a large yard, "just remember we only met last week.  That's why you were away.  And don't worry about me.  I'm used to being interrogated.  It'll be fine."
"I hope so.  I really hope so," Johnny spoke as two angry looking armed men approached them.

tbc

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