SOLVING THE PUZZLE
The door to the CDC, so dubbed by the agents of Team 7, burst open with such force it slammed hard against the wall, followed by Buck Wilmington tumbling to his knees and then recovering in a fluid motion a NFL running back would be proud of. The intensity of his blue eyes was matched by two other pairs of blue eyes, one with brown orbs, and two with green eyes belonging to five men that followed on Buck's heels. The men spread out while Buck went straight to the bedroom of his roommate, staring breathlessly at a still form lying on his stomach in the bed.
"Nathan! Chris! In here!" Buck yelled as he rushed to the boy's side.
JD's face was turned to the right; hazel eyes closed, his form still. His hands were bound behind his back and his feet tied together.
For a brief moment, Buck could detect no movement, until he saw a slight rise of the boy's chest.
Letting his own breath out in a loud sigh of relief, Buck turned his attention to freeing JD's hands and feet, clumsily pulling at the ropes until Nathan, with a practiced calm, cut them and rolled JD over on his back. Except for soft breathing, JD was so still the anxiety rolled off the six men who stared at him for any signs of bruising or blood. Ezra already was taking pictures of the room but prudently refrained from asking Buck not to disturb the scene as Buck lifted JD gently into his arms and removed him to the front room. Nathan followed Buck while Chris, Ezra, Vin and Josiah eyed the bedroom, searching for any clues. After a few minutes, they joined Buck and Nathan in the living room, Buck cradling the youngest agent.
"Hospital, Nathan?" Vin queried.
Nathan shook his head, perplexed. "JD's vitals are slightly slow, but still good. It's almost as if he took a sleeping pill and is resting soundly."
"Hospital," Buck said firmly. "I'm not taking any chances; no offence, Nate."
Nathan nodded, knowing full well that Buck would not calm down until JD had been checked out; even if it meant he had to turn loose of the boy while he was examined. No one said much on the way to the hospital; Nathan briefed the ER physician and Buck, determined to protect JD, released him only into 's care.
Chris and the others paced the waiting room; Ezra pulling out his favorite deck of cards; Josiah's head bowed in prayer and Vin stared at a wall painting intensely but without noticing any part of the scenery of the painting.
"I don't get it, Chris," Vin finally voiced. "JD was tied up, but not so hard he has marks on his wrists. The whole scene – it just doesn't make sense."
Nathan reappeared, relief on his face. "JD will be fine. Whoever did this didn't seem to want to harm him. He's sleeping off a prescription sleeping pill, Ambien."
"Will he have to stay in the hospital?" Josiah asked.
"No, we can take him home," Nathan said. "He stirred briefly, and as long as I watch him, Dr. Taylor okay'd it."
"Home to my place on the ranch," Chris said firmly. "I assume I'll be having several guests?"
The others nodded, just as Chris expected they would.
Buck entered the room, relief showing on his handsome face. He and Chris embraced briefly, then Buck headed back to JD's room.
"Surprised Buck left JD's side even for a moment," Josiah observed.
"I'll drive Buck and JD out to the ranch," Nathan offered.
"I'll get extra clothes," Josiah said.
"I'm in charge of the food," Ezra said hastily, remembering the last time everyone had gathered at Chris' ranch with the worst mix of fast-food, chips, candy and other snack foods near and dear to the others but evoking shudders of distaste in Ezra.
Chris had known Vin would stay with him and the two held the door of the ER and watched as Buck happily carried JD to Nathan's car. Dr. Taylor had consented to releasing JD after he came to briefly; and with the proviso that Nathan watch JD.
"He looks so peaceful," Chris muttered.
"Kid wasn't harmed. But who took him? And why did they tie him up?"
Chris did not have an answer as he and Vin walked to his Ram.
TBC
