Trouble

2

Michael calls in Munroe, "She's calm and ready to talk about the attack now."

Joanna can't stand having both men watch her so she turns away. The hospital walls are boring but make it possible for her to speak. 

"I was walking home, it was late at night, but I've never been afraid before. I started feeling that something was off, but just shrugged it off. There aren't many streetlights in the area so it's rather dark. Suddenly I feel someone grab me by my neck. 

"I'm pulled into the alley where it's even darker. I can tell that it's someone wearing a baseball cap. The shadows make it so I can't see his face clearly, but I can tell he has light colored hair, dark blond or light brown from some that isn't covered from the cap.

"He's about your height and build, Mr. Jamison, just slightly bulkier, more muscles. Oh, yeah I saw part of a tattoo on his right bicep. I couldn't tell what it was but I could see the ink." Joanna says shrugging and closing her eyes.

Michael hides his shock at her description. He knows who and he never thought that person would betray him. His blood burns like acid, but the two with him would never know it.

"Thank you, Miss Greene, your help is very appreciated." Michael says when she finishes.

"One last thing Mr. Jamison, when your men came they fired at the man and hit him. Not badly, but I did feel blood fall on me and he started swearing in pain." Joanna says before falling asleep.

That won't be the only wound the bastard will be suffering. Michael swears to himself. The betrayal runs deep, he never thought Cole would betray him. The one person he thought he could trust above all others.

He makes plans even as he runs on automatic with Munroe and Joanna.

"When the doctor discharges you, I'll have a car pick you up." Michael states unequivocally. Technically after this night it won't be necessary, but his family owes her more than he'll ever be able to pay.

"Truly Mr. Jamison, it's not necessary." Joanna tries once more to dissuade Michael.

"It is more than necessary. Now rest and get better. I'll make sure you have a job once you are healed enough to resume work." Michael reassures before leaving the room. 

Munroe goes over to the bed and finishes out his job as an officer.

"Get the men, I know who is the perpetrator. We leave in one hour," Jordan stands beside his boss shocked. He starts making phone calls gathering everyone.

Michael makes his own call. When it goes to voice mail he hangs up and goes to an app on his phone. "Have the men meet at 18590 Westwood. Make sure that they are quiet. It's one of ours, he knows how to protect himself." 

Jordan relays the information then hangs up. He turns to Michael and waits. He wants to know, but knows better than to ask. Finally Michael speaks, "It's Cole." 

Jordan couldn't be more shocked. "Are you sure, boss? Cole wouldn't..." Jordan trails off at the hate filled look Michael gives him.

"My twin, the one person I trusted above all others betrayed me. Am I sure? Do you think I would do this if I wasn't? Even only half seen she described him. He's turned his phone off and is hiding in an abandoned building. Miss Green says that her attacker is wounded. If Cole isn't then I will owe him more than I will ever be able to repay, but until then he's guilty." Jordan tries hard to not hear the pain Michael is letting out in his voice.

Michael looks at the rundown building in front of him. This part of town has been deserted by even the homeless it's so bad and isolated. There is no reason for his brother to be here legitimately. Just looking at the building in front of him makes Michael shudder. He wonders when the thing is going to fall down.

He silently signals the men to enter and disperse. They know what to do and they do it without further words or actions. Once the last ones enter Michael goes in.

Michael finds Cole in a rat infested hole. "Cole," He says to get his brothers attention. Somehow Cole hadn't heard a thing all this time.

Cole swings around shock evident on his face. "Michael, what are you doing here?" He didn't think Michael had known about this building or him coming here.

"I called a meeting, but you didn't answer. In fact your phone is off. When I tried to track you down it wouldn't work. I was worried that something had happened to you. After all my most trusted friend and brother wouldn't break the rules by turning off his phone would he?" Michael was watching Cole carefully and noticed the slight wince when Michael said most trusted. It was gone so quickly that he thought he might be imagining it.

"I just needed some time for myself." He then winced when he moved his arm and shooting pain went through him.

That draws Michael's attention to the bandage on his arm. Anger flares in his eyes, it's true, he hadn't wanted it to be. "What happened to your arm, Cole?"

"An accident, nothing serious. A bullet missed its target is all." He fails to tell his brother that he was the target.

Michael goes up to Cole and rips the bandage away. He looks at the wound then at his brother. "What happened and don't give me any bullshit." Cole starts sweating he could never lie to Michael and get away with it.

Desperate he searches for a change of subject. He shrugs, "Why did you call a meeting?"

"The attacker struck again, but this time he made a mistake." Michael says softly eyes never leaving Cole.

Cole starts sweating even more. "What kind of mistake?" He says trying to hide his nervousness.

"He left a witness that gave us a description." Michael says smiling and shrugging.

With those words Cole breaks. He tries to run but finds himself face first with a furious Michael and a knife sticking in his throat. "Strange that the description matched yours, stranger even how your wound was part of it." Cole had never seen Michael with such cold eyes and never turned his way.

Cole tries to speak and can't when he looks at the man he betrayed. Michael is harsh to those that betray him. Cole knows that he won't be getting out of this alive. He'll be lucky if Michael will be merciful, but after the look he received from Michael he doesn't think so. He's in for a great deal of pain and he knows it.

As the men come in, those that until tonight had been under him he gives up. None of them will even make eye contact with him. They have no desire to have the same punishment given to them as will be given to him.