{"id":22319,"date":"2024-07-01T08:00:42","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T15:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/?p=22319"},"modified":"2024-06-23T22:33:48","modified_gmt":"2024-06-24T05:33:48","slug":"seven-days-of-summer-2014-day-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/seven-days-of-summer-2014-day-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven Days of Summer 2014: Day One"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Story:<\/strong> Get ‘Em Up\u00a0<\/span>
\nAuthor:<\/strong> Bj Jones\u00a0<\/span>
\nSylum Timeline:<\/strong> 2016\u00a0<\/span>
\nSummary:<\/strong> Elliot and Hardison couldn’t believe the stupid<\/span><\/p>\n

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Elliot sat in the car, watching the idiot play with a loaded gun.\u00a0 The guy was a know it all idiot, who knew nothing and was going to get himself and the younger cousin killed – for being an idiot.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nathan had given them the job.\u00a0 Typical insurance scam.\u00a0 Company sold insurance to low middle class families and small businesses.\u00a0 Then when a claim was made – denied it for some arbitrary reason.\u00a0 One would think in the 21st Century this would stop being a problem, but obviously not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eleanor was a single mom, who had worked as a secretary for a small shipping company for the past twenty years.\u00a0 She was good, always on time, and received insurance through her work.\u00a0 She was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the claims were denied.\u00a0 When the company asked for more information, the Insurance Company pulled their contract, leaving everyone without insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n

The owner was suing the Insurance Company, and trying his best to help his employees.\u00a0 The problem was Eleanor now had a ‘pre-existing’ condition and was being refused by other insurance companies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nathan heard about the situation from one of his insurance auditors.\u00a0 He had been watching the Insurance Company for years, and finally had them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The major issue of the whole case was that Eleanor still didn’t have insurance, and the medical bills were stacking up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her son, Kevin, who was an honors student, had aspirations to become a doctor, was taking care of her.\u00a0 He had dropped his extracurricular activities to get a job to help with the bills. \u00a0 He was desperate to save his mom, and not lose their house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kevin’s cousin James, went by Jim cause he thought it was cool, was a wannabe gangster and was going to get someone killed.\u00a0 He already stole his uncle’s 44 and was branshing it like a toy. \u00a0 He had a foolproof plan to help his cousin.\u00a0 They were going to rob the bank on Main and 17th.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their main source of inspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n

Every damn heist movie made.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elliot just wanted to beat the shit out of someone.\u00a0 Jim preferably, but at the moment was stuck watching.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Is he seriously practicing lines from the movies?”\u00a0 Hardison stared at his laptop trying to contemplate what was wrong with these idiots.\u00a0 “Kevin is 16 I get it, but James oh sorry Jim is 26 going on 12.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I say we just go in, bash some heads in, and be done with it.”\u00a0 Elliot grumbled, while trying not to roll his eyes hard enough to see the back of his head.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It had been too easy for Alec to get cameras into the building, since Jim didn’t even take an effort to secure the location that he broke into. \u00a0 They had been watching the wanna be James Gang for two days, and so far they had gone over their lines, but didn’t have a plan on how to actually pull off the bank heist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Half the time Kevin was trying to finish his homework, as if he was going to be back in school on Monday.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Why do I feel like these idiots will try to rob the bank when it’s closed?” \u00a0 Elliot felt for the kid, desperate to help his mom, and naive enough to believe the shit coming out of his cousin’s mouth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hardison gave him a side look. “Not taking that bet.”<\/span><\/p>\n

They both startled, Elliot grabbing a weapon, while Hardison gripped his laptop, when their back door opened and someone slid into the backseat.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Rhys.”\u00a0 Elliot was half tempted to keep the weapon at hand.\u00a0 “What are you doing here?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Got the idiot cousin’s number.”<\/span><\/p>\n

They both stared at the ‘Man in Black’.\u00a0 It hadn’t taken long for Nathan’s Leverage Team, as Neal had labeled them, to end up working a few cases alongside Mr. Finch and Mr. Rhys.\u00a0 Hardison was very leery of them, not liking how much they knew.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elliot knew what Rhys was capable of and refused to cross the man.\u00a0 He was a damn good fighter, had skills and was fast, but he had seen John in a fight.\u00a0 He didn’t mind a good spar session, but if he had to truly throw down, the odds were against him.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Why him?”\u00a0 Alec asked, looking down at his computer trying to figure out what they had missed.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The reason he wants to rob the bank is not to help Kevin and his mother, but because he owes a lot of money to a local drug dealer.”\u00a0 Rhys stated as he flipped through his phone, reading all the information his Mate was sending.\u00a0 “He had no plans on sharing the money with his dear naive cousin, more likely to leave him for the cops.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Well he’s an asshole.”\u00a0 Hardison grumbled as he went through his notes, noticing more information showing up linking what he already had. \u00a0 This is what freaked him out, no one was this good, yet Mr. Finch seemed to be five steps ahead at all times.\u00a0 Plus he had the ability to pull documents and video from sources that took Hardison days if not weeks to get into.<\/span><\/p>\n

“What’s your plan?”\u00a0 Elliot was hoping that he would finally get to hit something, preferably the idiot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rhys gave him that smile that meant fun and mayhem was about to begin.\u00a0 “Honestly, we were going to let you guys handle him, your team is good.\u00a0 Then we saw the drug dealer had ties to Mile High Syndicate, and well I have a bone to pick with them.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Hardison frowned.\u00a0 “Aren’t those the assholes that hit the church.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The growl was enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

“You can have them.”\u00a0 Elliot gave him a small grin, knowing exactly what the Man in Black had intended for the gang.\u00a0 He paused, when a flash outside the window caught his eye. \u00a0 “They’re heading for the bank.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Did anyone tell them it’s Sunday and the bank was closed?”\u00a0 Hardison asked as they exited the vehicle trying to figure out how to stop this farce.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“And how did they miss the cops sitting in the parking lot eating their donuts!”\u00a0 Elliot ran a hand through his hair, before moving towards the stupid.<\/span><\/p>\n

They didn’t even make it to the bank before the cops were out of their cars, guns drawn yelling at them to hit the floor. \u00a0 Kevin was the smart one and dove so fast to the ground, he probably ended up with a case of road rash.\u00a0 Jim on the other hand, was seconds from being shot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elliot was done.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond done.<\/span><\/p>\n

He had plans for a nice dinner that didn’t include a police shooting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before anyone blinked he cold clocked Jim to save him from getting shot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jim hit the floor before he knew what hit him.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rhys was holding up a Federal Badge telling the cops they had everything under control, and had been tailing the duo for a few weeks and would take care of everything.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“You should be getting a call \u2026 ”\u00a0 Rhys smiled as the cops phones started going off.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

‘Having fun Mr. Finch?’\u00a0 He asked, voice changing slightly, becoming softer.<\/span><\/p>\n

‘Always, Mr. Rhys.’\u00a0 He could feel his Mates’ enjoyment.\u00a0 ‘Everything is secure, the house on 20th is available, Detective Carter is on her way, she’ll help with Kevin.\u00a0 As for James, well I’m sure you can handle him with ease.’<\/span><\/p>\n

‘Oh James and I will have a long discussion about just saying no to drugs.’<\/span><\/p>\n

Rhys grabbed the idiot off the ground, who was moaning about being hit.\u00a0 “Police brutality! I’m suing the city.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“That might be kinda hard when you’re dead, because you don’t pay off your drug debts.”\u00a0 Rhys gave him a hard look, making the kid shut up instantly.\u00a0 “Come on, let’s deal with these idiots, then we can all go home.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I got a roast on.”\u00a0 Elliot helped Kevin up from the ground, but still roughly pushed him towards the car.\u00a0 The kid needed a wake up call, though he was sure the boy had been scared to death.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Carter stepped out onto the porch, watching Rhys for a few moments.\u00a0 “I’m pretty sure Kevin will never break another law for the rest of his life, no one will catch that boy jaywalking.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Elliot snickered as he walked past her to one of the old porch railing and leaned against it.\u00a0 “His mom gave him the I’m disappointed in you speech, while crying and thanking him for trying to help, then calling him an idiot, in that way only mothers can.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Harold has teamed up with Nathan, and the two are going after the Insurance company.”\u00a0 Rhys gave them the good news. “And there’s been a charitable donation in Eleanor’s name to cover all of her medical expenses.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Carter smiled. “You both are just old softies.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Who can destroy someone in seconds.”\u00a0 Elliot gave John a look, who only smirked in return.<\/span><\/p>\n

“What about Jim?”\u00a0 Hardison asked, entering the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

“He’s singing like a bird.”\u00a0 Carter rolled her eyes.\u00a0 “Got him downtown, let Fusco at him.\u00a0 He’s still smarting over the butt shot from the Mile High Syndicate so he’s not holding punches. \u00a0 We’ll make sure he gets out of the city, as we know their reach has grown.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“It’s like dealing with rats.\u00a0 Get rid of one, fifty show up.”\u00a0 Elliot had run into similar situations many times over the centuries.\u00a0 The only way to take out organizations like that was to take the head of the one who controls it. The problem is that finding who controls the gangs was getting harder, as they’ve become well funded.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We’re hoping the information we get will let us take down the remaining members of the gang.”\u00a0 Carter shrugged, then gave Rhys a nod.\u00a0 “I’m heading out, having dinner with Zoey.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Kevin and his mom will be staying here for a few days.”\u00a0 Rhys glanced at the front door, then back at the others.\u00a0 “Once we know it’s safe, we’ll get them moved.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Like I said, old softies.”\u00a0 Carter gave him a smile, then headed for a car.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I still have a roast on.”\u00a0 Elliot stood, held out his hand to Rhys.\u00a0 “Thanks for the help.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“You guys would’ve handled it without us.”\u00a0 Rhys took it easily.\u00a0 “I’m sure Nathan would’ve had fun playing FBI, or would have got Peter just to show up.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“It would be El you would have to worry about.”\u00a0 Alec laughed lightly.\u00a0 “But thanks.\u00a0 Maybe one day your Mate can tell me how he does what he does.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Rhys smirked slightly.\u00a0 “Don’t hold your breath.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Lucky I don’t have to breathe!”\u00a0 Hardison laughed, then noticed no one else was.\u00a0 “Okay.\u00a0 I’ve got a video game to play, and some people to hack.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Elliot clapped his shoulder.\u00a0 “You can have dinner with us, then annoy Peter by hacking into the FBI again.”\u00a0 The two gave Rhys a wave and headed for the car.<\/span><\/p>\n

“He scares the crap out of me.”\u00a0 Alec glanced over at Elliot as they got into the vehicle.<\/span><\/p>\n

“He scares the crap out of everyone.” \u00a0 He started the car, and headed down the road.\u00a0 “But he’s one of the good guys.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Are we sure?”<\/span><\/p>\n

Elliot looked over at Hardison, giving him a look.\u00a0 “Well if he isn’t, do you want to cross him to find out?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Hell no.”\u00a0 Alec was tempted to cross himself, just in case.\u00a0 “I’m glad Kevin and his mom will be safe.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Maybe one day he’ll find the cure to cancer.”\u00a0 Thankful that the kid was safe, and will be able to go to school, and not rot in jail or worse dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Still can’t believe they were going to rob the bank on a Sunday!”<\/span><\/p>\n

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***<\/span><\/p>\n

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