Chapter Text
Jay hates it when he has to drive out to Edison Park to drop off paperwork.
The small precinct is staffed with tired, lazy cops who are just counting down the days to retirement.
But Voight doesn’t really give him a lot of choice so he tells Hailey he’ll see her at home and climbs into the truck.
It’s a quick errand for a long drive and soon enough, he’s on his way home, stopping at a small gas station to fill up the tank.
While he waits for it to fill, watching the numbers tally up, he notices people gathered by the corner of the convenience store.
Watches all too familiar motions and sighs.
Would it be a bad thing if he chose not to intervene in an obvious drug deal this far from home when he’s technically off duty?
He decides to the head into the store to get some coffee, figuring he’ll get a closer look on his way and make a decision then.
Only when he exits the store with his coffee, the teenager is standing near the door with a gun in hand.
“Shoulda minded your own business, pig.” he snarls.
Jays sighs.
“I’m tired and the last thing I want to do is drive back to the local precinct instead of going home.” he says, “Walk away and I’ll forget about what I saw.”
He’ll also be figuring out exactly who this punk is to decide if he should follow up later but he doesn’t need to know that.
“Not today.” the kid says, shaking his head. “We’ll ditch your shit in your truck.”
Another sigh and then he reluctantly walks over to his truck, the kid trailing him.
The punk isn’t happy when he wastes an extra few seconds unlocking his gun safe and securing his weapon but Jay doesn’t care.
He’s not happy either.
There’s an old Honda parked a little ways away and he’s ordered into the driver’s seat, the kid climbing in behind him.
They don’t drive far, pulling in at a small house just a few blocks from the gas station.
A little girl, maybe eight or nine years old, is sitting on the couch watching tv when he’s shoved through the door and she looks up with wide eyes.
“There’s some rope in the hall closet.” the teen says. “Go get it, Liza.”
She glances between them for a long moment before nodding and scurrying into the hall.
“You don’t have to do this.” Jay says quietly.
“Don’t tell me what to do.”
Liza comes running back with the rope in hands.
“Here.” she says, holding it up.
“I got the gun.” the boy argues, “You gotta tie his hands.”
“But Vic… what if he..?” she trails off, looking up at Jay through frightened eyes.
“He won’t.” the boy growls, “Not if he knows what’s good for him.”
Jay ignores the threat, making eye contact with the little girl.
“It’s okay.” he tells her, “Do what he says. I’m not going to hurt you.”
She studies his face for a moment before nodding and stepping forward. Jay holds his hands out in front of him.
“Behind your back, pig.” Vic snarls. “You think I’m stupid?”
Jay turns, holding eye contact with him as he places his hands behind his back.
She wraps the rope around his wrists before tying it snuggly in place. He can’t quite stop the wince as she pulls the knot tight and she whispers an apology.
“It’s okay.” he repeats, glancing over his shoulder at her.
Once he’s been restrained she backs away, eyes darting between him and her brother.
“Now what?” she asks, “What’s the plan?”
“I don’t know.” her brother admits. “I’ll put him in the basement for tonight.”
“And tomorrow? People will be looking for him.”
“I’ll call Vinnie in the morning.” he says, grabbing Jay’s arm. “C’mon.”
Jay reluctantly follows as he’s towed toward a small white door that presumably leads to stairs, briefly considering what would happen if he started yelling for help.
“Try it and I drop you where you stand.” the teen growls and Jay turns, holding his gaze.
“There’s gunshots on these streets every night.” he adds, “Won’t nobody think anything of it.”
“Whatever mess you’re in,” Jay says slowly, recognizing the fear the kid is trying to cover with anger and bravado, “I can help you.”
“Shut up fuckin’ pig.” the kid spits out, “I don’t need anything from anyone, especially not you.”
Jay feels the heat rising at the back of his neck but forces it down, refusing to strike back. The kid is angry, afraid, with adrenaline still racing through his system.
He can try again later.
“Gran’s got some duct tape in the kitchen or the hall closet or something.” the boy tells his sister. “Find it and bring it downstairs, okay?”
“Teach you to run your mouth.” the kid hisses in Jay’s ear as he opens the door and shoves Jay onto the expected staircase.
The promised basement is still partially unfinished and Jay is forced down against an open wall. A second piece of rope is tied around his neck and the other end secured to an exposed pipe. It’s a while before the sister comes jogging down the stairs with a roll of packing tape, apologizing for being unable to find any duct tape and avoiding Jay’s eyes.
“No big, sis.” the kid says, taking it from her, “This will work just fine. Why don’t you go get ready for bed?”
She nods and hurries back up the stairs as he wraps the tape around Jay’s head, securing his mouth.
“Sleep tight, pig.” he taunts before heading back up the stairs himself, pausing at the top to kill the lights before leaving Jay alone in the dark.