Vin, Chris and Josiah stared at the piece of paper that had been in the envelope
that Scott had given Vin. It had two words on it.
Strike One.
What the hell does that mean? Chris demanded, holding the paper
so tightly that it crumpled and tore. Vin looked puzzled.
Im not sure. Vin frowned. What I dont understand
is how Samuels knew what to write before we gave him the information.
The false information, Josiah said uneasily. Do you think
he knew that we were giving him fake information when he called last night?
Hes definitely watching us, otherwise he wouldnt have warned
Chris and me to stay here this morning. Maybe he knows that we couldnt
find any Jason Cummerford in the city.
Chriss cell phone ran. He grabbed it and snapped, Larabee.
Im disappointed in you, Mr. Larabee. I thought we understood
each other. And instead I find you trying to fool me with fallacious information.
This does not do much for the spirit of trust.
What the hell does strike one mean, Samuels? Chris
demanded, ignoring the ominous words. Vin and Josiah listened, trying to
figure out what Samuels was saying from Chriss terse words.
You lied to me, Mr. Larabee. That is your first strike. Youll
be receiving a package this afternoon. It will contain a videotape and new
instructions. Youd do well to watch it the entire way through; it contains
some information that Im sure you will find enlightening.
Have you even tried to contact Cummerford? Chris asked, grasping
at straws. Samuels laughed.
Jason Cummerford does not exist, Mr. Larabee. At least not in this
city. I knew that, and instructed you to find him to see whether I could
be sure of your honesty. It appears I cant. And Im afraid Mr.
Dunne and Mr. Standish will pay the price for your deception.
Wait! We were doing what we thought would keep JD and Ezra
uninjured, Chris said desperately. What was I supposed to do,
Samuels? For all I knew, if I said there was no Cummerford in the city you
would have killed them. I was trying to keep them alive.
That may be so, but you attempted to deceive me, and I will not
let that go unpunished. If ever you cannot fulfill my instructions, Mr. Larabee,
you would do well to tell me so, instead of trying to deceive me.
Damn you, Samuels.
No doubt, Mr. Larabee, the man said affably. Tell
me, is Mr. Sanchez nearby?
Why? Chris asked suspiciously. He glanced at Josiah, who raised
his eyebrows in response and waited.
Tell him to go and watch over Mr. Wilmington and Mr. Jackson. It
wouldnt do for them to wake up alone. You and Mr. Tanner will have
to take over following my instructions. I would advise doing as I say, Mr.
Larabee. You dont want to make your friends pain any more prolonged
than it must be.
Chris clenched his fists in impotent anger. Why are you doing this,
Samuels? Whats in it for you? You ask us to locate a non-existent man,
send my men on fools errands, for what? What is it that you want?
Samuels laughed softly. This is a game, Mr. Larabee. I thought you
would have realised that by now. I am doing this because it is entertaining
for me.
Entertaining? Damn it, Samuels, most people go to movies or something
for entertainment! They dont kidnap and torture people!
There was a pause before Samuels spoke again. Do you have any idea
what it is like to have a geniuss IQ, Mr. Larabee? Have you ever thought
how utterly frustrating it must be to be so far beyond everyone around you
that you cant even interact with them normally? To know the answers
to the puzzles that rule their lives. To be so far ahead of the world that
even books by Tolstoy, Aasimov, the greatest authors of history are like
childrens storybooks. Do you have any idea how long a day can seem
when you are far more intelligent than normal people?
Chris swallowed, stunned by the mans questions. Samuels continued,
I dont imagine you do. Well, Mr. Larabee, I do. I know all
of that. And that is why I do this. Human beings are the one thing that no
amount of intellect can predict. We react differently, depending on upbringing
and temperament and countless other little idiosyncrasies that make humans
unique. I could play this game a thousand times over, with a thousand
different players, and each time the reactions would be different. The next
time I play, my players might just admit that they couldnt find the
man I asked them to find. The one I send to meet Scott might kill him, just
to show me that they can hurt me too. It is a fascinating process, the human
mentality, and it is one of few things that has any entertainment value for
me anymore.
Youre doing all this because youre bored?
Chris asked incredulously. Samuels seemed to be considering his question
before answering.
That is a rather blunt way of putting it, but I suppose so,
yes.
So if this is all a game, why do you need to hurt Ezra and JD?
Chris asked, trying to reason with the man. Samuelss laugh sent chills
down his spine.
Dont be fooled by my choice of words, Mr. Larabee. After
all, Russian Roulette is also a game.
+ + + + + + +
JD looked up as Samuels and Mikhail entered the room he and Ezra had been
taken to. It was smaller than the previous room, but it contained a bed large
enough for the two of them and was warmer than the concrete room. Ezra was
sleeping. His fever was low, and the doctor didnt think that there
was anything to worry about. JD had been sitting and watching him since returning
two hours earlier.
Mikhail walked over and jerked JD to his feet. Come with us, Agent,
he said roughly, tying a blindfold over JDs eyes again. The long march
down the corridor reminded JD anew of being walked to his execution, and
he had to stop himself from shuddering in Mikhails grasp.
He was taken into another room, guided to a chair and the blindfold was removed.
He blinked as the light hit his eyes and glanced around. He was sitting in
front of a table, and Samuels was on the other side. As he watched, Samuels
opened a briefcase and took out a vial and syringe.
Whats this about? JD asked, a note of nervousness in his
voice despite his efforts to sound unconcerned. Samuels didnt answer;
drawing some of the straw-coloured liquid from the vial into the syringe,
he replaced the vial and turned to JD.
This will keep you conscious, long enough to make the point anyway.
Those words sent a shudder of fear through JD. Mikhails hands tightened
on his shoulders as Samuels stood and approached, the evil-looking syringe
glinting in his hand. He knelt beside the chair and angled the syringe at
JDs throat.
JD jerked away, cursing as Mikhails fingers found his wounded arm again.
The huge guard clamped one hand around JDs injured arm and with the
other grabbed JDs chin. His fingers pressed into JDs jaw as he
angled the agents head up, baring his throat like a sacrifice about
to be killed.
Samuels plunged the syringe into JDs throat. The pain was negligible
compared to the pain JD had felt two hours earlier when Mikhail had exacted
his payment for JDs requests, but it was still a foreign object in
his neck and cause enough to be alarmed. Mikhails hand on his jaw prevented
him from moving, and the angle was restricting the flow of oxygen to his
lungs. Black spots danced in front of his vision. Then Samuels pulled the
syringe out, Mikhail released JDs jaw and JD could breathe properly
again.
Samuels returned to his seat behind the table. He looked past JD and spoke.
Mr. Larabee. As you can see, I have selected Mr. Dunne to participate
in this demonstration. Mr. Standish is currently a little unwell, and my
medical staff tell me that it would be inadvisable for him to join us this
afternoon.
JD twisted around in the chair and saw another hulking guard, this one holding
a video camera. He realised with a sinking feeling that Samuels was sending
a tape to Chris, and that he was probably there to provide subject matter
that would be sure to infuriate his employer.
Samuels continued talking. As I said, I dont appreciate being
lied to. Mr. Dunne will show you what happens when you attempt to deceive
me.
He held up the remote and pressed a button. For an instant, JD dared to hope
that the collar didnt work. Then he felt two burning patches on the
sides of his neck, and a lance of pain shot through his chest.
Oh, God. What is that?
That, Mr. Dunne, is the chemical in your collar. Just a small dose,
enough to show Mr. Larabee exactly what happens when he lies to me. Unfortunately
for yourself, the effects of the chemical are only just beginning.
After the initial lance of pain as the chemical entered his body, the effects
were slow to show themselves. JD felt a gradual heat rising in his abdomen,
as though hed contracted a flu or some other virus and was running
a fever. This was much faster than a normal fever, however.
He looked down at his hands and noticed them shaking. A sudden spasm shot
through his arms and hands, the muscles tightening in response to the foreign
chemical in his bloodstream. His fingers curled in to claw at his palms.
His legs jerked as the same muscular spasms worked their way down his back
and legs. He kept his seat with some difficulty; Mikhail had removed his
hands from JDs shoulders and had gone to stand by the wall, watching
impassively.
A bolt of pain speared through his stomach, like a bullet tearing through
him. He curled forward and tensed the muscles of his abdomen as tremors ran
through his shoulders and back. He clenched his teeth against the whimper
that threatened to burst from his throat, determined not to give Samuels
the satisfaction of hearing his pain.
A shaft of fire ignited inside him, so suddenly that JD couldnt keep
back the startled scream of pain. His concentration was shot, so that the
next bout of spasms that wracked his body sent him crashing to the floor,
instinctively wrapping his arms around his stomach in a futile attempt to
ease the pain. His arms and legs jerked spasmodically, out of his control
in the grips of the chemical.
He heard Samuels talking, but the words didnt make any sense as his
body thrashed. Moans and cries escaped his throat without him intending to
make a sound; hed told himself that he could endure anything Samuels
put him through, as long as he didnt cry out, but he hadnt figured
on his own body betraying him.
Spasms made the muscles in his back so rigid that curling into a ball to
relieve the cramping of his stomach was out of the question. The muscles
in his legs contracted until his calves were almost touching the backs of
his thighs. His back arched and his arms jerked, joints cracking. His entire
body jerked as though in the throes of a fit.
JD didnt know how long it went on. After the first few minutes, his
mind was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the pain, and he didnt
even hear Samuels talking anymore. After an indeterminate period of time,
he felt hands under his shoulders and knees, and movement. No blindfold this
time; whoever was carrying him seemed to know that he wasnt in any
condition to know or care where he was being taken. The sound of a door being
opened registered, and he was unceremoniously dumped on a bed. The jolt sent
waves of pain through him, and he gladly embraced blackness.
+ + + + + + +
The next video arrived at four p.m., wrapped in plain paper and addressed
to Chris. An envelope came with it, instructions written on the outside telling
them not to open the envelope until theyd watched the video. It was
only Chris and Vin left, now at Chriss ranch; Josiah had done as Samuels
had ordered and returned to the hospital, though while he was there he intended
to look over everything they had on Samuels, to try and figure out where
he might be keeping JD and Ezra. The idea of Buck or Nathan waking up alone
was repugnant to all three men, and Josiah knew that Vin would better be
able to deal with Chris than he could.
They put the tape in the VCR and steeled themselves for the worst. Vin was
pacing, unwilling and unable to sit down long enough to watch the tape. Chris
was seated on the couch, leaning forward as though his proximity to the VCR
would make a difference to its content.
The tape began with an image of a small room. Two chairs sat on either side
of a table, both empty. The door opened, and three men walked in. A tall,
muscular man that neither agent recognised. Jake Samuels. And JD Dunne.
As he was guided to one of the chairs, Vin and Chris could see that JD was
wearing an evil-looking leather collar with a small metal box set in the
front. The guard removed the blindfold that had been covering the agents
eyes as Samuels sat down in the other chair. The supplier removed a vial
and syringe from the briefcase, ignoring JDs query, and drew some of
the straw-coloured liquid into the syringe before turning to the agent who
was being held in place by the large man behind him. Samuelss next
words chilled Vin to the core.
This will keep you conscious, long enough to make the point
anyway.
The guard angled JDs chin up, baring his throat, and Samuels stuck
the syringe in. He returned to his seat and looked directly at the camera.
Mr. Larabee. As you can see, I have selected Mr. Dunne to participate
in this demonstration. Mr. Standish is currently a little unwell, and my
medical staff tell me that it would be inadvisable for him to join us this
afternoon.
The mention of Ezra being injured sent bolts of anger through both watching
agents. JD turned and gazed at the camera, slight confusion registering on
his face. Vin swore under his breath and continued pacing, his speed slightly
faster as Samuels continued talking.
As I said, I dont appreciate being lied to. Mr. Dunne will
show you what happens when you attempt to deceive me.
He held up a remote and pressed the button. For a few moments nothing happened,
then JDs voice broke the silence, slightly shaken.
Oh, God. What is that?
That, Mr. Dunne, is the chemical in your collar. Just a small dose,
enough to show Mr. Larabee exactly what happens when he lies to me. Unfortunately
for yourself, the effects of the chemical are only just beginning.
The guard moved away from JD and stood by the wall, watching impassively.
JDs hands started to shake. The tremors worsened, moving to his arms
and legs. The watching agents could see JDs jaw clench as he struggled
to keep from crying out.
Goddamnit, Vin growled, his hands clenching into fists as a scream
escaped JDs throat. JD crashed to the floor, doubled over and clutching
his stomach, arms and legs jerking spasmodically. Samuels spoke again.
This is what happens when you try to lie to me, trick me or otherwise
go against the spirit of cooperation, the man said, looking down
at JD, who seemed not to notice Samuelss words. The agent was convulsing
as though he was having a fit, soft cries and moans of pain filtering to
Vin and Chris through the bad quality of the tape. Both men were intensely
glad that the others, especially Buck, werent watching this tape.
Samuels looked at the camera again. You will find your next instructions
in the envelope that came with this tape. I suggest that you follow them
to the letter, unless you want to receive another tape of Mr. Dunne suffering.
Of course, I could use Mr. Standish next time, or simply fulfill my promise
as to what will happen if you dont cooperate. Im loath to begin
sending you parts of your agents, but rest assured that if you continue to
try and deceive me, I will do whatever I have to in order to convince you
that you should act otherwise.
The tape stopped. Vin silently slit the envelope with a letter-opener and
pulled out a piece of paper.
What does the bastard want us to do this time? Chris asked through
gritted teeth. Vin wordlessly handed him the piece of paper. Chris read it
out loud.
Now that you have been enlightened as to the penalty of deceiving
me, I have another task for you. At six p.m. tonight, the young man Mr. Tanner
met will be waiting in the diner near the park. You will both meet him there,
and he will give you something. Dont be late.
+ + + + + + +
Vin and Chris walked into the diner at exactly six p.m. A waitress greeted
them and asked if they needed anything. Vin ordered two sodas so that they
wouldnt be kicked out, and scanned the room for the youth hed
met at the fountain. The kid was sitting at a corner table, sipping a soda,
with a duffel bag sitting on the chair next to him.
Vin and Chris walked over and sat down across from him. The youth glanced
at Chris. Tanner, he said by way of greeting. And I guess
youd be Larabee.
He reached into his duffel bag and pulled out a brown-wrapped box. He
told me to give this to you. Wait, dont open it here, he exclaimed
as Chris pulled the box over and began to remove the paper wrapping. At
Chriss questioning look the kid explained, I saw some of what
Jake put in there . . . its nothing you want to open in a diner. You
want to be somewhere where there arent people. You dont want
to attract attention. Besides, Jake said to tell you not to open it until
Im gone.
He stood and left, once again climbing onto a motorcycle and roaring off
into the night. Vin looked out the window. The parks kinda empty.
You want to open it there, Chris?
They stood up. Vin left some money on the table for his soda and they went
across to the park, sitting down on the fountain where hed met the
youth that morning.
Chris opened the box and let out an inarticulate cry of rage. Vin stared
at the bloodied Armani jacket, the lock of black hair and the two watches,
fear and anger welling up inside him. Samuels had done his research well;
he knew that the seven members of Team Seven had some sort of bond that made
them as close as brothers. Sending them personal items personal items
covered in blood cut to the core of the two men.
Damn it, Chris growled. We have to get them out
now.
A tinny ring filled the air. Chris and Vin looked at each other for a moment
before Chris realised that his cell phone was ringing. He took it out of
his pocket and said tersely, Larabee.
Chris, its Josiah. We figured out where Samuels might
be!
Are you sure? Chris asked, hardly daring to hope that their profiler
might be right.
No, Im not sure. But Im pretty damn close to sure.
Buck and Nate woke up, and we put together the information we have on Samuels,
added some stuff that isnt fact but makes sense, and it pointed to
two places. Ones registered to a company here in Denver, so I figure
its not that. The other one is registered to a C. Xavier.
Chris didnt see the connection. Whats that got to do with
it, Josiah?
Charles Xavier is the hero in one of those comic books
JD reads. Has a genius IQ, something like that. Samuels is young enough to
be into comics, Chris. It fits. Its all we have to go on right now,
and its damn well worth a try.
+ + + + + + +
JD woke up slowly, the muscles of his arms, legs and back screaming at him
every time he so much as twitched. For a moment he couldnt remember
why he hurt so much, then it came back. Samuels, the video, the collar .
. .
The leather still sat snug against his skin, the places where the dermal
patches touched his neck burning slightly. He went to reach up and try to
ease the chafing of the leather, but his arm protested the movement, sending
a wave of pain through him. He groaned again, not wanting to open his eyes
yet. Instead, he focused on his surroundings, trying to determine whether
hed been put back with Ezra or had been taken somewhere else.
He could feel pressure around his wrists, upper arms and waist; ropes, from
the harsh rasp against his skin. He was upright, leaning backwards at a slight
angle, wood hard against his back. A niggling half-image formed in his mind,
though he couldnt focus enough to put all the pieces together. He groaned
again, his head throbbing at the effort of thinking.
A hand touched his hair, smoothed it back from his forehead. Buck was always
going on at him to get it cut. Was it Buck here? No, that wasnt right
. . . Buck hadnt been captured. Ezra?
Warm breath tickled his neck. He frowned slightly; that wasnt normal.
He opened his mouth to ask Ezra what the hell he thought he was doing, but
he was silenced by the kiss that claimed his lips.
His eyes flew open and he was face-to-face with Mikhail. The big guard grinned
and licked his lips.
You taste even better than you look, he confided. JD took in
his situation in a second; he wasnt in the room hed left Ezra
in. Instead, he was in a large, unfamiliar room, tied upright with his arms
spread out, hard wood pressing against his back. He realised with a sinking
feeling that he was bound to a crucifix. Mikhail was standing in front of
him, blocking his view of the rest of the room.
Mikhail, dont be all day taunting him, a lazy voice requested.
Mikhail moved to one side and JD saw Caine sitting on the large bed, tossing
a long, thin metal rod from one hand to the other. The bed sat across from
a fireplace in which a fire was burning. Caine put the long rod into the
fire, leaving one end out, and watched it begin to heat up. She picked up
another rod, this one with some sort of design at the end, and placed it
in the fire as well.
As JD watched, the Mikhail took out a knife that was starting to get all
too familiar.
You owe me two more, Agent, Mikhail said in a low purr.
Getting that tape off, and getting the doc to check over your fancy-mouthed
friend. Did you think I was just going to forget our deal?
I couldnt exactly come to you, JD shot back. The
door was locked, you know. Made it hard to find you and make good
on our deal.
Mikhail grinned, as though JD had said exactly what he wanted him to say.
Youre here now. So Im going to take whats mine.
He used the knife to cut JDs shirt away, baring the agents stomach.
The three cuts stood out in stark contract to JDs pale skin, each one
about ten centimetres long. Mikhail lowered the knife and made a fourth cut,
perpendicular to the first three. JD gritted his teeth and refused to make
a sound as the blade was slowly dragged through his flesh. He knew it
wasnt going deep enough to hit anything important, but it felt
as though it was cutting deep. Mikhail raised the knife and looked at his
handiwork, considering. He made the fifth cut across the previous four, making
the tally. As he pulled the knife across, it tore the broken skin from the
other four cuts, making all five bleed anew.
There, JD forced the words out. My debts paid now.
Mikhail held the bloody knife above JD and grinned. Youve paid
the debt that we agreed on. But I kinda think Id like to make a new
deal, Agent.
JD opened his mouth to ask what Mikhail was talking about, but the guard
placed the bloody knife over JDs lips. No. Dont talk.
Thats the trouble with Jakes little games hes too
easy on the pawns. I always said he needed to put the fear of God in them.
His grin turned feral. Or the fear of someone, anyway. Dont reckon
that many of them believed in God anymore, after we finished with them.
Jakes a good man, you know. Not many will hire a convicted criminal.
But then Jake isnt one to care about a mans past, as long as
that man stays loyal to him. And this is a good arrangement, better than
any other job I could get with a conviction to my name. A place to stay,
food, money, he even lets me use the ones hes finished with for
entertainment. And all I have to do is make sure a couple of guys every few
years dont escape.
Every few years? How long has Samuels been doing this? JD asked,
ignoring the blade resting lightly on his mouth. Mikhail grinned.
Hes twenty-five, and Ive been with him since he was about
seventeen. Id say hes played this little game about six, seven
times all up. The longest break was this last one; we had to move the compound
closer to the city, and Jake wanted to be sure that he knew everything about
your team before he began the game. Had to know who to take, what sort of
things to get the others to do.
So why me and Ezra? JD asked, trying to learn something
anything that would give him insight into how Samuelss mind
worked.
Caine answered, standing up and moving over to the crucifix. Youre
the youngest, taking you made them all feel like they failed to protect you.
Funny reaction, if you ask me; even a young guy can take care of himself,
and it wasnt like they could have done anything. Hell, we had you and
your friend out of that warehouse even before the gunfight started. As for
the fancy man, well, it was more process of elimination. Couldnt take
Tanner; hed make far too much trouble, and even Mikhail might have
had problems keeping him in one place. Wilmingtons too attached to
you to make an interesting hostage; watching his reactions when he finds
out what has happened will be far more entertaining for Jake. Jackson was
out of the question; having no trained medic makes the captives much more
reliant on us. Sanchez is too powerful to risk; he wouldve had a chance
at overpowering Mikhail. And Larabee has to stay free, of course, otherwise
whats the fun in the game? You have to watch the leaders reactions
to finding out that two of his agents are captives.
She paused, then grinned. Besides, I took a liking to Standish once
wed done some research into your little team. Its always more
interesting, taming the wordy ones. The intelligence makes it more of a
challenge.
Caines words chilled JD, and he hoped that Ezra was still okay. He
remembered the insanity in Caines eyes and the warning Scott had whispered
to him earlier when he brought him and Ezra water. Hed said that Caine
was dangerous, and JD got the feeling that Scotts black eye and other
bruises had been caused by the dealer.
Mikhail started toying with JDs hair. You have nice hair,
he informed the agent. Soft and smooth, like silk. Like a girls
hair. I like soft hair.
Im happy for you, JD said sarcastically. Now get
your hands off me.
Mikhails grin widened and he brandished the knife again. I could
always use this for more than fulfilling our bargain, he warned, sounding
pleased about the prospect.
Samuels doesnt want me dead.
What I do wont kill you. Not physically, anyhow.
He placed the knife on a table near the bed and opened the top drawer of
a desk, turning his back to JD for a moment. Caine wandered over and trailed
her hand down JDs cheek, her fingers caressing the slight cut made
by her knife that first night. She cocked her head and said, Puppys
hurt himself. His face is all cut up, doesnt match the rest of him
anymore.
We can fix that, Mikhail said over his shoulder. We can
make the rest of him match his face.
Mikhail turned back to the crucifix, carrying a cardboard box with him. He
stood next to JD and began to go through the box with one hand, the other
returning to stroke JDs hair. With an effort, JD pulled his head away
and hissed, I said get your hands off me.
The guards eyes hardened. He grabbed JDs chin and pressed his
fingers into JDs jaw. You listen to me, Agent. I will make this
very, very painful if you bug me. Now, Im damn sick of your mouthing
off. Anyone would think youd been taking lessons from Standish at how
to piss people off. Ive noticed hes good at that; sure pisses
off Ashley, anyway.
He chuckled. Now shes a woman to worry about, arent you,
Ash? She went and asked Jake if she could have the Southerner for a while;
teach him better manners. Just between us, Ashleys a little rabid most
of the time, right Ash? Thinks people are animals to train. Never made that
mistake with me or Jake, but she does like to rough up the prisoners a
bit.
Caine grinned at Mikhails words, seeming not to take offense at what
JD thought was an insult.
Cant see how youre any better than he is, JD shot
back, ignoring the warning voice in his mind that told him to be passive
for once and not try to antagonise Mikhail further. The voice turned out
to be right as Mikhails expression turned hard again.
Now whatd I tell you about mouthing off at me? Ashley was right
about you at least; you are the most stubborn one Jakes brought in,
and Ashley and me have seen a lot of folks. You and Standish, and the rest
of your team, youre closer than any of the others were, too. Kinda
makes me think that theyll feel as though everything thats been
done to you two was done to them, too.
He grinned. Its an interesting thought. Ive done a lot
in my time most of it what got me in prison in the first place
but Ive never tortured seven men at once. Figuratively speaking,
anyway.
JDs eyes widened at his words.
Get the fuck away from me.
Caine leaned forward. You know, Agent, youre not the first.
Weve tortured plenty of others. You remind me a lot of Alex, actually;
he looked a lot like you. Alex wasnt the first either, but he was one
of the best. Fought all the way. You have hair like his, too, only yours
is a bit longer. His was longer than the other Feds, though. I always did
think that was a bit strange for a Fed; usually theyre clean-shaven
short-back-and-sides types. I think that was what made him interesting to
me; he was different. Like you.
You two are disgusting, did you know that?
Mikhail grinned. They all say something like that. Were monsters,
or disgusting, or sick, or some variation of that. Hell, Agent, Im
not going to disappoint you if youre so hell-bent on thinking that
of us.
He looked back in the box, toying with something inside, before looking back
at JD. You wonder how your fancy-mouthed friend is? Its been
almost two hours since Jake made that video; Id bet your pals
woken up now. You think hes wondering where you are? I could always
go and enlighten him, he added, smiling wickedly.
Keep the hell away from Ezra, you fucking psychopath, JD hissed.
Mikhail rummaged in the box, looking for something in particular. Trading
insults with you is fun, Agent, but I have something even more fun in mind.
Doing the verbal tango gets tired after a while, and I reckon me and Ash
want to have some fun.
Caine crossed back over to the fireplace and removed the first metal rod,
now glowing red-hot. She returned to stand in front of JD, holding the glowing
tip of the poker centimetres from his face. She studied the red-hot metal
for a moment, before carefully, deliberately drawing it down his chest, leaving
a line of fire behind.
JD bit back a scream, unwilling to give them the satisfaction of hearing
his pain. Caine looked at Mikhail, a strange smile on her face.
We have a stubborn one here, Mikhail. Hes not going to break
easily.
Mikhail finally found what he was looking for; he straightened, holding a
serrated knife. He grinned at Caine, then turned to JD.
We are gonna have some fun, Agent.
+ + + + + + +
Josiah was beginning to think hed have preferred being shot at the
bust to this. Nathan and Buck had been awake for a few hours, and now that
theyd done all they could from the hospital, Buck was going into apoplexy
at not being allowed to go and help rescue them. Nathan had taken it calmly
enough oh, he was angry, and wanted Samuels put away, but that was
to be expected. Buck, on the other hand, seemed as though he was going to
get up and run to the rescue without even bothering to change out of his
hospital gown.
The poor doctor was having a hard time convincing him that this would
not be a good idea.
Agent Wilmington, I understand your concern for your colleagues, but
I really cannot condone you leaving the hospital at the point in time,
the woman said firmly, holding her own against the glare that was aimed her
way. Never mind that Buck could barely sit up in bed; the mustached agent
looked about ready to kill anyone who got in his way.
I dont give a damn what you can or cant condone, my friends
are in danger and Im not gonna sit around here while they suffer!
Nathan sighed. Buck, Im as angry as you are about JD and Ezras
capture, but the doctor has a point. Im not going anywhere with these
bullet holes in me, and youre black and blue all over. And your gun
arm is broken, so I dont think youll be doing much shooting.
The door opened and a nurse his nametag read Jared
walked in. Time to check your vitals again, he said. He walked
over to Buck and firmly pressed him down onto the mattress. Lie still,
Agent Wilmington, otherwise I might have to ask the doctor to sedate you.
His voice brooked no argument, and clearly this was one time Bucks
self-proclaimed charm would get him nowhere. Josiah suspected that the doctor
had requested these two be nursed by male nurses until they were ready to
leave the hospital that way there was less of a chance that Buck would
con his nurse into letting him leave.
Josiah, come on. I gotta help them get this sorry son of a bitch,
Buck pleaded. Jared stuck a thermometer in Bucks ear and made a notation
on his chart, then did a blood pressure check and made sure the flow of pain
medication was steady before turning to Nathan and giving him the same treatment.
Buck cajoled, I gotta, Josiah. You know how much I hate not being able
to help.
Youre going nowhere, Agent Wilmington, as I believe Dr. Russell
has told you, Jared said firmly, replacing both charts at the end of
their respective beds. Obs are steady, Dr. Russell, but Im worried
about Agent Wilmingtons arm if he keeps moving around like that. Will
you stop trying to get up! he snapped finally, turning to Buck. I
understand that youre worried but you arent going to be able
to help anyone if you start coding again!
Again? Buck queried. Jared glanced at Dr. Russell, who sighed
and nodded.
You woke up for a brief period of time yesterday evening, Agent
Wilmington, Dr. Russell explained. However, you arrested from
the trauma to your heart and lungs, and we had to rush you to surgery. If
you continue to exert yourself this way, you might relapse.
Buck sank back against the pillows, blinking. Oh. I didnt
realise.
Wed hardly keep you here unnecessarily, Jared said. Your
team has quite the reputation here; we know what youre like when one
of you is injured. Im sorry to have been so blunt, but you are still
not out of the woods yet. That goes for you as well, Agent Jackson.
Nathan nodded. I figured as much when we kept getting checked every
five minutes.
The medics voice was frustrated; Josiah knew that Nathan, as much as
Buck, wanted to be with Chris and Vin, driving to the rescue of their missing
comrades. Josiah himself wanted to be there, but Chris had wanted someone
to stay with Buck and Nathan, and the backup hed requested should more
than make up for the deficit.
Im sorry I cant give you better news, Jared said
quietly. I know your team is close. But if its any consolation,
the finest medical team this hospital has to offer will be yours if you need
it.
Josiah nodded gratefully. It wasnt really a consolation; he knew Chris
had requested the medical team, and that meant that Ezra and JD were hurt,
and badly. But it was a small relief knowing that if his friends were injured,
they would have the best care that Denver had to offer them.
Jared, Id like you to up the dose of antibiotics for Agent Jackson;
that leg wound is slightly infected and I want to fight off infection as
fast as possible. Could I speak to you outside, Agent Sanchez? Dr.
Russells words broke through Josiahs ruminations. The big man
nodded and stood up, following the doctor out of the room while Jared adjusted
the IV over Nathans bed.
Is there a problem, doctor? Josiah asked once the door had closed
behind them. Dr. Russell sighed and rubbed her temples.
Agent Larabee called to request that we have a medical team standing
by. From what I understand, two ATF agents are in possibly critical conditions.
How do you want to proceed with this? Im reluctant to give those men
any more reason than they already have to worry, but I understand you wont
want to keep them in the dark.
I dont know, Josiah admitted. I guess itll
depend on what condition JD and Ezra are in when theyre brought here.
If its bad, then Nate and Buckll need to know. But if Ez and
JD are definitely gonna make it, we dont need to tell them the extent
of their injuries, not until theyre a little better. Thats what
I figured be best. Youll have to see what Chris thinks when he
gets back.
Jared came out of the room, closing the door behind him. Agent Wilmington,
despite his assurances that he feels fine, has gone back to sleep,
he reported. Thankfully, Agent Jackson seemed more willing to accept
that he cant leave the hospital at this point in time.
Thank you, Jared, Dr. Russell said. She looked tired, taking
off her gold-rimmed glasses and rubbing her eyes. Agent Sanchez, I
take it you will be staying with Agents Jackson and Wilmington?
If thats all right.
The staff here have long since learned that the words visiting
hours mean little to ATF agents, Jared said with a brief smile.
You stay with them as long as you need to. Ill keep you up to
date with the situation.
Thank you, Josiah said, his gratitude clear in his voice. He
didnt miss the emotion and empathy in Jareds next words.
Hell, your team are like brothers, we all know that. If it were my
brothers out there, Id want to know what was going on.
+ + + + + + +
Ezra woke with the feeling that hed lost quite a bit of time. He looked
at his wrist, but his watch had been taken sometime while he was unconscious.
The feeling of timelessness was unsettling.
He sat up slowly, mindful of the pain in his bruised stomach, and looked
around the room. Hed been moved, he remembered that much, because the
doctor had been worried about his head injury. JD had been taken somewhere
with Samuels and that big guard, but hed come back . . . wearing that
contraption around his throat. Ezra felt his anger rise at the memory of
the leather and metal collar, and the knowledge that JD was wearing it because
of him.
The room was small, sparsely furnished with one bed large enough for
both of them sheeted with plain cotton, and a table on the other side
of the room. Someone had put a couple of bottles of water on the table, along
with what looked like non-prescription painkiller tablets. JD was nowhere
to be seen.
Ezra reached up and touched the place where the doctor had found his head
injury. It was bandaged, and didnt hurt quite as much. He could feel
his own fever, but nothing dangerously high. He wasnt worried about
his own health; Samuels had seemed pretty anxious to have him seen to. What
worried him was JDs absence.
The door swung open, and the behemoth of a guard entered, carrying JD. The
younger agent was semiconscious, unresponsive in the guards arms. Burns
and abrasions adorned JDs chest, arms and stomach, and his jeans were
torn around his lower legs, showing burned skin and deep gashes that had
been roughly stitched. His face was bruised and dried blood matted in his
dark hair. The guard unceremoniously dumped him on the bed next to Ezra,
an odd grin on his face.
Good Lord . . .
The Lord has nothing to do with us, the guard informed him. I
wouldve thought youd have figured that out by now. God has no
place here.
What did you do to him? Ezra demanded. JDs stillness alarmed
him. The younger agent was conscious at least, his eyes were open
but he wasnt looking at anything, just staring into space. The
guards grin widened.
Ask him about it, he replied as he exited, locking the door behind
him. Ezra immediately turned his attention to JD, who hadnt moved from
the position hed been placed on the bed in.
Mr. Dunne . . . JD? he asked tentatively, for once foregoing
the formal address he preferred to use with his colleagues. Something told
him that addressing JD the same way Samuels had been speaking to both of
them would be a mistake.
JD blinked and turned his eyes slowly to Ezra. The emptiness there frightened
the Southerner, more so than the tears that threatened to spill over. JD
barely seemed aware of Ezras presence. Ezra had no idea what to do
in this sort of situation. He would have given anything to know how Buck
dealt with JD.
JD . . . its me. He cautiously reached out to touch the
younger mans hand, and was alarmed by the violent reaction his touch
elicited.
JD screamed, awkwardly scrambling backwards on the bed until his back met
the wall. He avoided touching anything with his hands, and Ezra cursed as
he realised why. The fingers were twisted cruelly, and the skin on the backs
of JDs hands was distorted by the obviously broken bones underneath.
Some of those bones stuck through his skin, ivory and crimson against mangled
flesh. His fingernails had been torn off, leaving raw, bleeding wounds behind.
Ezra was torn between horror and fury; as their resident computer
guy, as JD called himself, the agents hands were very important
to him. Without full dexterity and sensitivity, a lot of his prowess with
computers and other technical apparatus would be greatly reduced, something
that Ezra wasnt sure JD could cope with on top of everything else that
had happened to them.
Ezra took a chance and moved forward, ignoring his own pain at the sight
of his friends pain. He cautiously reached out to the younger man and
was shocked when JD clung to him like a child, sobbing.
Oh, God, Ez . . . he sobbed brokenly. Ezra, baffled by the sudden
storm of tears, simply held his young friend and stroked JDs dark hair,
murmuring words that he hoped were comforting, saying whatever came into
his mind. He didnt bother trying to use large words, just said whatever
he thought of. While he spoke, he prayed that their friends would find them
soon, before either of them was pushed beyond their limit. JD was coming
dangerously close to breaking, and if that happened Ezra knew that the Seven
would crumble.
CONTINUE
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