REPORT: RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
FILE #: 408

This episode begins with Broots telling Miss Parker and Sydney that he thinks that they have found Jarod. He is in a small town going by the name of Jarod Harper. Sydney asks if there is a description and Broots says that it matches Jarod perfectly. Broots says that Jarod got the job at the same time that he calculated his position. Miss Parker says to call Lyle and Broots says that he already did and Lyle is on the way to the jet. They all start to leave when Miss Parker’s phone rings. Miss Parker answers her phone and hears her father’s voice calling her “Angel”. She stops dead in her tracks and then walks back into the room. Mr. Parker says that he needs to see her. He tells her to go to the junk yard near the Quinton Street over pass. He tells her to hurry and then hangs up. She is shocked and all she can say is… “Daddy.”

Raines startles Miss Parker from behind to give her a prayer card that he kept under his pillow. He tells her that he asked that it be filled with the answers that she needs. Then he leaves her. Miss Parker goes to leave, to find her father, when Sydney and Broots poke their heads in to ask if she is coming. Miss Parker asks them to buy her some time, a few hours.

In Fletcher Ridge, Illinois, we see a remote-control toy police car moving down the street with its lights and sirens on. A little boy is controlling the car as it races through the streets past a real police car and then it runs right into Jarod’s foot. Jarod says Ouch and then reaches down to pick it up. He finds it neat and then little boy tells him that he bought it with his tooth fairy money. Jarod is puzzled by this, and the boy tells him that when you lose a tooth you put it under your pillow and the tooth fairy comes and takes it and leaves money. Jarod gives the boy his car and then the boy leaves.

Across the street at the Fletcher Ridge Funeral Home, Jarod watches as a family is arguing about something. Jarod listens as the women tells her brother, Cam, that they do not need to be making arrangements. He tells her, Sarah, that they do. Cam tells her that the people at the hospital don’t care it “the Larsen’s” live or die. Cam tells the other brother, Billy, to come with him. Cam is heading to the car and Sarah is following him. They are arguing still and Cam tells her that he knows what needs to be done. Cam gets into the car and Sarah looks into the backseat and sees that they have guns. She becomes frantic and tries to get the doors opened so that she can take the guns, but the doors are locked and he tells her that he didn’t start this… he drives off with Billy. Sarah runs to a pay phone, but it is out of order. Jarod offers to let her use his phone. He listens as she tells the 911 operator that her brothers are going to the hospital with guns. When Sarah turns back to give Jarod back his phone he is gone.

At the Fletcher Ridge Hospital, there are police surrounding the building. Cam and Billy have hostages inside… one patient, a nurse, and a candy stripper. Cam tells Billy to paint the windows so that no one can see into the room. Cam is watching the hostages as Billy paints the windows. When Billy is finished he takes Cam’s place and Cam goes to talk to his father.

The Sherriff is telling his people that if he has a clear shot to let him know. Jarod comes up behind him and tells him that that is an interesting philosophy… shot first and ask questions later. Jarod says that he is Special Agent Jarod Jackson Chicago FBI. He says that he is the hostage negotiator… and this is his show now. The sheriff is not happy about it but he hands over the reins.

The Sherriff is telling Jarod all about the situation. Jarod wants to know about the hostage takers. The Sherriff tells him that one is Billy Larsen with no prior… a good kid. Then there is Cam Larsen, 28, and has priors. They say that according to Sarah Larsen they have a rifle and shotgun. Jarod says that he wants her brought there as soon as possible. Jarod asks if they have made demands. The Sherriff says no. Jarod says that his take is that because they have isolated it to where the father was in the hospital… it is a grievance with the hospital.

Jarod goes near the doors to where Cam and Billy are at and tells them that he is Special Agent Jarod Jackson. He tells them that he wants to talk demands. Cam tells him that it is between them and the hospital. Jarod tells them that they have innocent people who need medical attention. Jarod says that no one wants anyone to die so just tell him what they want. Cam says to write something down….$41,342.17 no more, no less. Jarod says that he will see what he can do.

Jarod tells the Deputy and the Sherriff that he needs a phone line into the room. The Sherriff is afraid that they have already killed someone, and wonders what they do if they won’t answer the phone. Jarod says that he need blueprints of the building. The Deputy says that he can get them there is ten minutes. Jarod says that he also needs a fiberoptic video camera with a transmitter and a microwave intercept. The Sherriff tells him that they have five hardware stores. If he wants a hammer he can help… Jarod gives the deputy a list to take to the electronic store.

Miss Parker pulls up to the junk yard and gets out of her car. She goes in search of her father. She is walking past and over homeless people, when her father surprises her from behind and pulls her into a bus that is in the junk yard. She is shocked to see him and they hug. She then smells him and realizes that there is a horrid stench coming from him. He takes her to the back of the bus and she asks what is going on. She asks him where he has been and he tells her that he has been underground because it is the last place that ‘they’ would look. Mr. Parker tells her that there is a strong box in SL-22. He tells her that it is behind the panel behind the fire hose. He tells her that it is filled with cash and he needs it to live on with Brigitte. He gives her a key to open the box and then tells her that it is life and death. She tells him that she doesn’t understand what is going on. Miss Parker’s phone rings and Broots is on the line telling her that Jarod didn’t show up for the UPS job. Broots says that they missed Jarod. Miss Parker asks about Lyle and Broots says that he is looking for her and he is mad. Miss Parker tells him to keep looking for Jarod and she will be back soon. She turns to talk to her father, but he is no longer there.

Jarod is walking down a hall with the Sheriff, a doctor and a representative of the hospital. She says that no one is going to want to be treated at the OK Corral. She says that he name is Rebecca Simons, hospital administrator. The doctor behind him identifies himself as Steven Franklin, Chief Cardiologist. The Sheriff says that they were the one that talked to the Larsen’s before they started shooting it up with guns. Rebecca Simons says that the family brought their father in because he was complaining of chest pains. Dr. Franklin says that he diagnosed him with a type of arrhythmia but it was not life threatening. Jarod says that the Larsen boys thought differently. Franklin says that he should have kept the father overnight to ease their minds. Jarod shows them the amount that Cam Larsen gave him…. $41, 342.17. However, Franklin says that he has no idea what it is. Rebecca Simons tells Jarod that there are patients in the room with the Larsen’s that will die if they do not get the proper treatment. Jarod excuses himself from their company.

Jarod sees Sarah Larsen sitting by herself and he walks over to introduce himself to her. She says that he is the man with the phone. He tells her that he is with the FBI. He wants to know why her brothers are doing what they are doing. Jarod says he wants to help, but he needs to know why. Sarah tells him that everything was always crazy in their family and it got worse when their mother died. Jarod asks if their mother was at this hospital and Sarah says that she was in the same room that ‘daddy’s” in. Sarah says that their mother was really sick when the hospital sent her home and then she died three days later. Sarah says that he brother maybe doing the wrong thing, but that she is not going to help him kill them. She shoves his phone at him and runs off.

The Deputy arrives with the equipment that Jarod sent him after.

Inside of the hospital room, Cam is pacing. Billy is holding the gun on the hostages and hoping that Cam knows what he is doing.

Jarod is in the hall putting the equipment together. He sets up the video camera and then puts a small flashlight on it. Then he puts the new camera on the wheels of a remote controlled car. The Sheriff and the Deputy are wondering about what he is doing and Jarod tells them that “it pays to be a fly on the wall or in this case the air vent.” Jarod puts the car into the vent and then goes over to the television and turns it on. He then pulls the blueprints out so that he knows where he is going. He turns the flashlight on and sure enough they see the vision the camera is seeing. The Sheriff is impressed. The car makes it to the vent that looks in on Cam and Billy. The Sheriff says that he can get a clean shot with this. Jarod says that it is the Sheriff’s job to consider everyone’s safety. He says that it is his job to save the civilians. Jarod thinks that the Sheriff is a bit on edge. The Deputy says that he has his reasons.

Cam is talking to his father who wants to know what the hell he thinks that he is doing. Mr. Larsen says that he wouldn’t be doing this if their mother was alive. Cam tells him that she isn’t so stop talking and get some rest. Billie says that there are guns and badges all over the place. Cam pulls him aside and asks him what he thought was going to happen.

On Jarod’s end we hear that the Sheriff has request that they kill the air and the lights.

Cam is not happy about this and tells the hostages to get down. Jarod calls Cam and says that he will turn it back on for some hostages. Cam wants to know why he should trust him. Jarod says that if they cooperate that nothing will happen to them…. he promises.–However, outside we see a sniper setting up to take a shot at the brothers. –Jarod asks if they have a deal. Cam is about to give in when shots ring out and Jarod sees on the monitor that everyone in the room is hitting the floor. Jarod is upset by this.

Jarod is telling the Sheriff that they got trigger happy. The Sheriff says that Cam Larsen cannot be trusted. He tells Jarod that Cam ensighted a riot while he was in prison. Jarod tells him that the guards were beating the prisoners and they were convicted on brutality charges! The Deputy says that Cam is on the line. Jarod talks to him and Cam asks if they are crazy. Jarod says that he had nothing to do with that. Jarod wants to come in a speak with him face to face. Cam says that he is not there to talk. Cam orders him to turn the air on. Jarod says that he will. Then Jarod asks if he can come in. Cam tells him that he can, alone and unarmed. Jarod wants Cam’s kids brought in. The Sheriff thinks it is to get under his skin, but Jarod says it is to get into his heart.

Miss Parker is in SL-22 looking for the hose that her father told her had a strong box behind it. Miss Parker gets a phone call from Broots. Broots asks where she is but she won’t tell him. Then he says that he was scanning police channels and heard of a hostage situation at the hospital and there was FBI involvement. Broots says that he thought that Jarod would be drawn to it so he called the closest FBI office (Chicago), but they had not sent anyone. Miss Parker says tells him to get the jet ready and she will be back as soon as she can. Broots asks, “What about Lyle?” and Miss Parker says, “Lyle who?” Then she hangs up on him. Broots is watching Lyle coming into The Centre. He slinks down so as not to be noticed.

Cam’s kids are drinking milk shakes with Jarod in the hospital. Jarod asks for their help. Cam’s daughter says that Cam was upset and yelling last night because the hospital was going to send “Grandpa Jake” home to die. Jarod notices that Cam’s son had just lost a tooth. He asks if he is going to put it under his pillow for the tooth fairy. Cody says that he is going to tonight. Jarod asks how much he thinks he will get for it. He says a dollar. Jarod asks if he would like five.

Jarod is outside the hospital room and says that he is coming in. Cam and Billy let Jarod in. Billy frisks Jarod and says that he is clean. Cam says that he could have gotten someone killed shooting in here the way that they did. Jarod says it was a mistake and that the officer who did it was removed from the line. Jarod asks what the $41,000 is for and Cam says it is the hospitals price. The other patient starts to get worse and Jarod tries to help but Cam and Billy won’t let him. Jarod says that if the women dies then he will spend the rest of his life in prison. Jarod tells him to think of his children. Cam doesn’t think that his kids understand. Jarod says that his little boy looks like him. Jarod says that Cody asks him to give Cam something.

Jarod puts it on the counter. Cam picks it up and sees that it is Cody’s tooth. Jarod then ask how much he should leave for him. Cam checks his pockets and then asks Billy if he has any money on him. Billy only has a five that Cam gives Jarod… with Billy’s protests. Jarod says that if he leave know he can still put the money under Cody’s pillow. Cam says that he can’t…. and that this is not just about his father. It is about everyone out there who is sick and who deserves to be treated with dignity. Cam asks Jarod if he thinks that his father should be sent home… does he look well? Jarod asks for a hostage. Cam says that the women patient can go. One of the nurses helps but is not let go.

The Sheriff wants Jarod to get Cam to a window. The Sheriff says that one shot and it will be over. Jarod wonders why the Sheriff think that bullets are the only answer. The Sheriff leaves. He decides that he wants to talk to the Deputy. Jarod and the Deputy talk.

Billy is sitting with his father. Cam is sitting across the room against the wall. He notices that the candy striper is biting her names and asks her name. She says that her name is Lindsay Tyler and Cam tells her that biting her nails is a bad habit. Cam walks over and peers out a window. The nurse asks if he remembers her and he wonders whether he should. She reminds him that she is the one that invited him to the Sadie Hawkins day dance in junior high school. He says that he remembers that she kept chasing him around the room all night. She says that she remembers that he kept asking the band to play Dream Weaver, Cam’s favorite song. She tells him that her father died of heart problems and that is why she became a nurse. Cam starts to apologize to Cindy for everything that’s happening but Billy starts calling him.

Jarod is watching Cam talk to one of the nurses in the room when his father stops breathing. Cam yells for them to send a doctor in but Franklin refuses to go unless his safety is assured so Jarod grabs a crash cart and goes in. Cam and Billy are upset at Jarod’s arrival, but Jarod assure him that he can help their father. Cam tells him that if his father doesn’t live that he won’t either. Jarod tells Cam to talk to his father to give him something to come back for. Cam starts talking as Jarod uses the paddles to restart Jake Larsen’s heart. Cam finally begs his father to survive and then his father’s heart starts beating again.

Outside, Dr. Franklin comments that the FBI are well trained, after seeing Jarod’s performance. The Sheriff decides that they need a better look and starts messing with the camera. –Jarod notices that under Mr. Larsen’s fingernails they are turning blue. Cam hears the car camera run into the vent. –While messing with the camera the Sheriff loses the picture. –Jarod distracts him by asking if another hostage can be released. Cam tells Cindy, the nurse, to go home. She tells him that she is not leaving until he does… for her father. Lindsay, the candy striper, volunteers to be the one to leave. –The Sheriff continues to mess with the camera and sends it sailing through the vent and into the hospital room. –Cam is upset at this and asks Jarod why he shouldn’t kill him right there and then.

Jake Larsen takes the breathing mask off and tells him son not to shot Jarod. Cam lets Jarod and Lindsay leave. –Jarod leaves Lindsay with a female police officer.

Once outside the room, Jarod tells the Sheriff that he could have gotten them all killed. The Sheriff is upset and walks away, but Jarod hears him on the phone asking for the Chicago FBI’s phone number. Jarod knows that time is running out.

Lyle is searching Miss Parker’s desk for any clues to where she has gone. Sydney tells him that he will not find Miss Parker by searching through her desk. Lyle asks them if they know where Miss Parker is. Sydney says that they do not and that Miss Parker beats to the tune of her own drum. Lyle says that he has noticed that. Lyle looks up at them and asks them if they would lie to him. Broots asks if anyone saw the Redskins game over the weekend. Sydney just looks back at him.

Back at the hospital, Jarod is searching throughout the hospital’s database. He pulls up Jake Larsen’s file and it says that he has a serious heart problem that if gone untreated will kill him. So why was he denied care? Jarod sees that in the file it says that the attending physician was Dr. Franklin. Jarod seeks out Dr. Franklin to ask him what how the HMO determines whether or not a procedure should be performed. Franklin tells him that the HMO relies on the report of the attending physician. Jarod notes that this hospital has denied 11% more surgeries than the national average. Franklin thinks it is because people are healthier here but Jarod thinks that there is something suspicious going on. Jarod leaves and Franklin pulls out his phone and tell someone on the other end that they need to talk.

Jarod is telling the Sheriff in a hallway somewhere in the hospital that the price that the Larsen boys demanded is the same amount that this hospital charges for heart bypass surgeries. Jarod also says that Jake Larsen’s hospital records indicate that he is headed for a massive heart attack and unless he gets the surgery he will die. The Sheriff asks Jarod who he is and tells him that he called the Chicago FBI Office and they have never heard of a Jarod Jackson. Jarod tells him that the FBI is a big place and maybe he didn’t talk to the right person. Jarod also says that he knows about the hostage situation where the Sheriff lured the perpetrator to the door and then hesitated to take the shot. The Sheriff tells him that a 15 year old stock boy was shot to death and it is his fault. The Sheriff walks away leaving Jarod in the hall. Jarod walks to a window and sees Franklin talking to Rebecca Simons. They are arguing about something.

Jarod catches up to Rebecca Simons as she is getting into her car. He asks her about the whole situation and she confesses telling him that Franklin denied certain surgeries so that the HMO’s would save money, for which Franklin got kickbacks. She tells him that she looked the other way because she thought that she would live happily ever after with Steven Franklin but when the Larsen boys came here she thought that they should do something but Franklin threatened to implicate her.

Back at the junkyard, Miss Parker is telling her father that the key that he gave her didn’t work in the strong box. He tells her that he must have given her the wrong key. He pulls a key from his pocket and opens the strong box. Inside the box is money and envelops one of which bears the label “Medical Records — Baby Parker”. Miss Parker asks about it and her father says it is nothing. She wants to know if it is about her or Lyle and he tells her that it is none of her business. He wants her gun. Miss Parker realizes that it is because of the hit that was put on him. Mr. Parker says that he has a lot to protect and give Miss Parker a sonogram picture of her new brother or sister. She asks if there is anything that she can do and he tells her that the key is still Jarod — get him back and everything will be like it was. He takes her gun and leaves. Her phone rings and she tell whoever is on the other end that she is on her way.

Jarod is in Dr. Franklin’s office and is hiding a video camera in a planet so that he can get a view of the whole room. Then he makes a solution that he wipes on Franklin’s keyboard. Then Jarod fills a syringe with something. Jarod then calls Franklin and tells him that the Larsen boys have tapped into the hospital records and they appear to be looking for something. Jarod thinks that they should back everything up so that they don’t lose anything. Franklin hurries to his office and starts deleting files of patients that were denied care, he is starting to show signs that something is wrong (the solution Jarod put on the keys). Franklin is working on the computer when shots ring out and Jarod runs into the run bleeding from his right arm. Jarod says that they Larsen boys are out loose in the hospital and they say they know what was done to their father. Franklin becomes frightened and starts to get up but falls over in agony. He thinks that he is having a heart attack. Jarod tells him that he is and that he sped up his heart by putting a certain drug on his keyboard that is absorbed through the fingertips. Jarod holds up the syringe and says that he can bring Franklin’s heart rate to normal. Franklin confesses to denying the claims for the money and then asks for the syringe. Jarod puts it on the ground and steps on it saying, “Claim Denied.” Jarod walks out leaving Franklin on the floor.

As the police are taking Dr. Franklin away, Jarod explains that all he really did is give him a severe case of heartburn that will go away soon… Jarod also mentions that he will probably loss bladder control for a while. This makes Franklin angry and he tried to lunge at Jarod, but he is restrained by the police. As they walk out of the hospital behind the Larsen boys in handcuffs, the Sheriff says that he is going to drop some charges against the brothers because he thinks that they have been through enough. He thanks Jarod and they shake hands. Over the Sheriff’s shoulder Jarod sees Miss Parker and Lyle pull up. Jarod runs.

Miss Parker asks the real FBI agents that just arrived about the imposter FBI agent that was reported to be there. She tells him that she is from the Blue Cove Gazette. The agents say that he just got there but from what he has been hearing this guy really knew what he was doing.

Lyle is looking around and they all realize that they have missed Jarod. Lyle tells her that it is her fault and that she will be held responsible for it. She tells him that she knows after thinking of the bizarre encounter with her father. They all walk back towards the car.

The screen fades to black……..