False Accusations || Don

"No it's a question that requires an answer." the suspect said.

"Answer it yourself then,"Mac challenged. He eyed the suspect. He knew they weren't the only ones from the gang looking for him. There had to be more of them.

"I'm gonna go with yes. And I can't imagine your friends at work can tolerate it either." the suspect said.

"Oh yeah?"Mac asked, shrugging impassively. "I don't know how your friends in the gang put up with your sorry ass either,"he said with a bit of a satisfied smile. He had to play this right back in the suspect's face. It may get him something.

The suspect wiped his smile off his face and didn't say anything. He just eyed Mac. "Come on u filthy sons of bitches, time to take u boys to your favorite place. And I bet u know where that is." Don said as he cuffed the other two suspects.

Mac allowed the satisfied smile to remain on his face as he turned his attention back to Brad. "You alright?"he asked. Brad peeked up at him and nodded a bit. "I'm scared. Scared for you."

Don tried to comfort Brad. "Detective Taylor's gonna be fine, Brad. No one's gonna hurt him ok? We caught these guys and they're gonna be in prison for a long time." he said.

Brad shook his head and Mac looked up at Don, Brad hiding in Mac's shoulder again. "Don, they're not the only ones out there,"he said quietly. He didn't want to scare Brad anymore, but he knew the teen already knew that there was more people for the gang out looking for him.

"What the hell are u talking about Mac? U mean there's more gangs like these assholes that are out to get u. And Brad?" Don asked.

"The gang is a large organization with lots of members,"Mac reminded Don. "We have to be careful,"he added. Brad nodded. "The gang will do anything, anything it takes,"he said.

"How the hell are we supposed to protect a city that has a population over 100,000? Are we gonna have to lock our doors at the crime lab and the 12th Precinct to avoid being harvested as prey for these gangs??" Don asked.

Mac sighed. "You know that's unreasonable,"he pointed out, finally holstering his gun.

"I'm sorry but shit like this frustrates the hell out of me, Mac. I've been living here my whole entire life, and seeing bad things happen like this, pisses me off!!" Don said.

Mac sighed and nodded. "I know, Don. The only thing we can do is be careful and talk to the guys we have in custody. I'm not expecting them to give up anything, but there's still a chance."

Don nodded. "I wouldn't hold my breath on that one, Mac." he said out of frustration.

Mac sighed. "I know, but we still have to try,"he pointed out.

Don nodded. "Ok. Ok. What do u need me to do, call my guys, have them canvass around Midtown, Manhattan, the New Jersey Turnpike, say the word, Mac and I'm on it!!" he said.

Mac nodded and chewed at his lip a bit in thought. It was rare for him, but in this situation he just felt a bit overwhelmed. The gang was literally everywhere in the city, and anyone could be looking for him and Brad. The only reason they'd be looking for Brad is because he was with Mac and now Brad had tipped him off to the gang looking for him. The thought of what the gang could do to the poor child sent a chill down his spine. "What I need someone to do at all times is keep an eye on Brad. They'll be after him just as much as me now, but I don't want him hurt. You tell the entire precinct if you have to, no one touches him unless I say so, got it?"he replied finally. Mac would even stay at the precinct or take Brad home with him tonight if it meant keeping the kid away from the gang.

Don nodded. "U got it partner. We can put him in protective custody until we figure out what to do next. I have a pull out bed in my apartment if he wants to stay with me tonight, Mac." he said, looking over at Brad. "What do u think of that idea, buddy? Feel like having a boys night tonight?" he asked.

Brad smiled a bit and nodded, looking over at Mac. Mac almost laughed at the look on his face, it looked like he was asking for permission. "Of course you can, Brad,"he said, finally cracking a smile because he couldn't help it. Brad grinned and then looked back at Don and nodded.

"High five Brad. Hope u like coffee because I'm a coffee nut!!!" Don said. Don turned his attention back to the task at hand. "I'll alert the precinct to send units out to Midtown and around Manhattan just in case the rest of the gang show up. In the meantime I'll take these guys in and begin the questioning process."

Brad grinned. Mac then nodded. "Sounds good. Have them call me or you if they get anything, and I mean anything."

"Lieutenant Sythe, Detective Flack, I need unis over in Midtown and around Manhattan right away. There's a dangerous gang on the run and they're targeting the crime lab and the precinct." Don said.

Mac looked to Brad. "You know you can call me anytime, for anything. You have my number. If you need anything, just call,"he said. Brad nodded. "I will."

Don pocketed his phone. "Ok I just spoke to my lieutenant, he's gonna have unis all over the city. In the meantime, I'm gonna take care of these scumbags." he said.