Chapter seven
While walking back to his office to finish his shift for the day, Decker couldn't help but get the image of the young and vulnerable Lieutenant from his mind. That young man truly looked up to his Commanding Officer. Decker sighed as he recalled the things being said that afternoon clearly indicating just how much the team members cared about one another. They were even willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the others. If he was being totally honest, he actually admired Hannibal and his men for their amazing skills as Special Forces. These men were the best! Besides being the best, they were also caring people who stood up for those in need. Decker wondered whether true criminals would do a thing like that … He had been chasing the team for a long time already and they had always been able to outsmart him somehow, but never once did they try to actually kill Decker or any of his men.
As soon as he arrived at his desk, he had made up his mind on what to do. He vaguely recalled the conversation he had upon capturing the team. Peck had made a deal with him. He would give up his freedom, if Decker let go of the rest of the team so they could get Hannibal some much needed help. He knew Peck mentioned the name of a certain lady doctor and as soon as her name popped back into his head he started to search for her phone number. Her assistant had told him she was currently at the hospital with one of her patients.
Decker waited patiently before he finally was able to talk to her. Since she also had no idea who he was, he started to explain who he was and also explained what was going on with Face. Maggie had heard the team talk about Decker before and knew he was after them, but she also listened carefully to what the man was telling her. He seemed to be genuinely worried about the well-being of his 'prisoner'. Maggie listened some more until she decided it would be safe to let Decker in on the situation. She explained that Hannibal had indeed suffered from a heart attack and that he had been admitted to the hospital.
"So, Peck was right. He did have a heart attack. How is he now? Did he survive?"
"Yes, he did. If Face hadn't given him first aid and noticed what was going on, we could have lost him. He's at the hospital now. We're currently monitoring his condition as he's still unconscious. "
"Oh. I see. Well, we kind of have a situation here of our own."
"Is something wrong with Face?"
"Yes. I have noticed that he barely touched his food for the last couple of days, so I asked for a doctor to examine him."
"And?"
"He's not really sick. He was just worried about Colonel Smith."
"How do you know this?"
"Well, we were finally able to drag it out of him. But it took some time. That kid is damn stubborn. He really does care a great deal about his Colonel and it started to affect his health."
"Well, how is he now?"
"He didn't just have a lack of food, but also a lack of proper sleep. He was exhausted, but couldn't sleep. The doc gave him a sedative to help him sleep. He looks pale and tired and lost most of his energy. I accompanied him back to his cell and even had to help him get there. He was shivering like crazy. I'm really worried about him."
"Face has a hard time opening up when something is bothering him. It must be serious, if it affects him like this. The team is very close. I've been dealing with two very upset men myself for the past couple of days. They're not only worried about Hannibal but also about Face being locked up in a jail cell somewhere."
"When will the Colonel regain consciousness?"
"I really don't know. I've been telling the guys to sit with him and talk to him as they are the closest thing to a family he has, but somehow I think he misses Face."
"What makes you say that?"
"Face is very important to Hannibal. He's not just a Lieutenant on his team or his second-in-command, he's more like the son he never had. Those two share a very close bond."
"Would it help the situation if I brought Lieutenant Peck to the hospital?"
"Yes. I actually think it would do them good. Both of them. Would you do that?"
"Yes. I'm willing to do just that."
"That's very kind of you, Colonel."
Decker asked Maggie not let the team in on the news and he also wouldn't tell Face what was happening. Before finally leaving the base for the night, he dropped by to see the prisoner again real quick. Face was curled up underneath both blankets on his small cot, but he was still sound asleep. Decker stood for a few minutes watching the young man sleep. He recalled the conversation he had with both Face and Maggie and decided he made the right decision.
The very next morning, Decker ordered Crane to wake up their prisoner and have him wear his army uniform instead of the fatigues he was currently wearing. Face had been confused and had asked why he would have to do such a thing, but he was given no further information. Crane brought him over to Decker's office a little bit later.
"So, did you manage to get some sleep, Lieutenant?"
"I did. What is going on?"
"You're being transferred to another facility."
"Oh great. The stockade no doubt?"
"You'll see when you get there. Let's get going, Lieutenant. I haven't got all day."
Crane handcuffed him and brought him over to the car. He had to sit in the backseat of the car. It was still very early in the morning, when Crane drove through the gates of the army facility. Nobody said a word. The after effects of the drug still made Face feel sleepy and so he decided to get some more rest. He woke up again when the car stopped. He blinked a couple of times so his eyes could adjust to the bright sunlight.
"Ah. I see you're awake."
"Where are we?"
"Give me your hands, Lieutenant."
Face was confused, but did as he was told. Decker undid his handcuffs.
"We've stopped to get some breakfast," he added.
"Breakfast?"
"Yes. You've lost way too much weight, Lieutenant. So I decided that you needed a proper breakfast for once instead of plain army food. So you and I are gonna have some breakfast at this nice cosy place over here."
"You and me …?"
"That's right. Lieutenant Crane is on leave for now, so he won't be joining us for the rest of the trip."
"What about the handcuffs …?"
"We have no need for them."
Face was still utterly confused when Decker opened up his door. He climbed out of the vehicle and noticed how Decker and Crane said their goodbyes. Decker motioned for Face to go with him to the cosy looking dining place. They sat opposite one another at a small table. Face couldn't believe what he was hearing when he was told he could get whatever he wanted. The waitress poured some coffee into their mugs, before taking their order. She smiled at Face and he smiled back at her, but his heart just wasn't into it. He was still unsure about what was going on.
"I see you're still popular amongst the ladies despite the fact that you've hardly got skin on your bones."
"I guess so."
"Are you sure you've ordered enough food?"
"Yes, I am. I never eat that much. Why the sudden concern?"
"In case you've forgotten, I was concerned about you before. I've arranged for you to see a doctor, remember?"
"Where are you taking me?"
"I can't tell you that. That's classified information."
"Right."
"Just make sure you had enough to eat, because you'll be doing the driving."
"What?"
They were interrupted in the conversation when the waitress brought them their breakfast. The food tasted delicious to Face and so he ended up finishing his plate. He felt overall better with the food and coffee in his system, but was still suspicious of what was going on. Decker paid for the food at the counter and both men once again left the establishment to get to the car. Decker handed Face the keys.
"It's nothing like that fancy sports car of yours, but it will have to do."
They both got in and Face started the car.
"Where are we heading?"
"Bad Rock."
"What? But you …"
"Let's just say you're needed there."
"Hannibal?"
"All I can and will tell you is that he's alive, Peck."
Face let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Hannibal was still alive.
"Well? What are you waiting for? I guess you know the way to Bad Rock better than I do. Let's go."
