Chapter 6

They walked through the automatic hospital doors, hearing the slight swish of them close behind them. It was that quiet. An occasional page for a doctor or nurse over the speaker, but other than that, the lack of visitors and diminished night staff proved that 1AM was indeed the perfect time to "slip in" if there ever was.

Bobby continued to look down as they walked, the badge Ross had given him hung around his neck and the security tag was clipped to his pants pocket. The security guard loomed ahead and Bobby felt his pulse quicken. What if they didn't get past him? What if someone found out who he really was? More importantly, did he care right at this moment? He decided not, as he could never live the rest of his life, as anyone if he didn't get to see her for himself. As expected, the guard stopped them.

"Sorry, visiting hours do not begin again until tomorrow, 8AM."

Ross cleared his throat, and looked over at the guard's name badge "I'm Captain Danny Ross, NYPD, Major Case, Mr..uh...Wilson" He placed a hand on Bobby's arm and continued "This is Detective Brett Felison. Detective Felison has been sent by the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau to check up on the safety of the current detectives you have here...as a result of the explosion."

The guard squinted up at Ross and then Bobby. "Nobody said anything about any detectives coming in. You're not on my list." He shook his head. "Sorry. No one gets in without being on the list".

Ross continued evenly, "Listen. I get it, right? You could get in a lot of trouble if you let us in, right?" The guard nodded for Ross to continue. "Let me ask you - do you really think I want to be here at 1AM escorting a detective who was sent by my boss just to check on the safety of my people?"

The security guard seemed to mull this question over but suddenly had a thought;

"Nobody is here that would be of any threat. I assure you. I know how to do my job." He indicated to his small handgun holstered to his pants. Bobby tried not laugh.

Ross put his hands up in front of him as a conciliatory gesture. "I'm sure you're right. The Chief is being a hardass on this one though. You know anyone like that?" The guard smirked

"Anyway...if you don't let me in with Detective Felison, I'm gonna have to go back and tell the Chief. And there will be a whole inquiry. People will be questioned - hospital staff, your boss..it'll be a mess. Let's just avoid any further complications. Let Detective Felison in, let him see for himself that everything is fine, he can report back that you are..infact...doing a great job, making sure no one gets in".

The guard seemed to ponder this for a minute. It felt like eternity before he finally motioned to the visitor book - "Just initial here..detective...uh...Felison...Captain."

Ross cleared his throat again. "Good man". And they signed in.

Once they were safely by the elevators, Ross turned to Bobby. "This is where I say goodbye...detective. Room 454."

"Thank you Captain. For...everything." And he turned into the elevators.