Ralph and Pam arrived at Aidan's room and after waiting for the nurse to check Aidan's vitals, went inside. They both were on the verge of tears when they saw Aidan. They had seen her in the hospital before, injured from scenarios and other situations, but never quite like this. Her face looked drawn and while unconscious, as though she was in pain. Angry red and blue bruises were starting to appear all over her body, and her left eye was showing signs of a black eye, partially from the blow she took. She had a white bandage wrapped around her head, being put there after she received stitches for her head wound. While that was bad, the two noticed the marks on Aidan's neck, showing that someone at one point tried to choke her.
Pam walked over to one of the chairs and sat in it, gently grabbing Aidan's hand. To her, Aidan looked like a multicolored china doll: multicolored because of the bruises, china doll because she seemed so fragile lying on the bed.
Ralph, however, seemed to be pacing around like an expectant father, or like a lion protecting his cub, thinking about what happened. "Pam, I still can't believe Kevin did this," he said.
"We don't know if he did hun." Pam answered keeping her voice low, more to keep her husband calm than anything else.
"Pam, she answered my question without hesitation. And, with everything that Kevin said to her at the reunion: telling her to get out of there and going on about her parents' deaths… I just want him to see what his anger did to her."
Pam sighed, knowing this wouldn't be easy. "I know how you feel, but I'm starting to wonder if she was actually trying to get us to help Kevin, as though he might've been attacked too."
"Maybe Pam, but I doubt it. I know of students who protected their boyfriends or family members who raped or molested them. She could be doing the same thing."
Before Pam could respond, there was a knock on the door, and after Pam acknowledged it, Tony entered. "Hey how's Aidan?"
"She's still out, but she looks a lot better now that she's been treated for her injuries," said Pam.
"Yeah, and she smells a little better too," said Tony, remembering how bad the garbage smelled. He already had a feeling Aidan wasn't going to be eating spaghetti anytime soon. "Just wish she was awake here so we could find out what happened."
"I know Tony..." Ralph stopped pacing and looked at Aidan, conflicted. On one hand, he could see Pam's point, as Aidan would try to protect others from harm, even if she was hurt. On the other, however, he knew that Kevin had never considered Aidan part of the family, and his comments to her from the day of the reunion kept ringing in his head.
After looking at his options, Ralph wished that Aidan was awake at the moment, as he wanted to be sure he was making the right choice. He placed a gentle hand on her face, stroking her cheek and wishing that he hadn't had a son who would treat her - or any woman - like this. He took a breath and let it out. "I'm going to find Kevin," he said softly. Seeing Pam open her mouth to protest, he continued. "I won't do anything to him like he did Aidan, but I need to know what would ever possess him to do this."
Pam frowned at the tone of Ralph's voice. It sounded like he was not too sure he would just talk to Kevin. She tried to stall. "Ralph, can't you at least wait a while until Aidan wakes up? Even with the doctor telling us to have me speak first, you know that more than likely she'll wonder where you are."
"I know, but if I wait too long, I might not find Kevin and that'll only make things worse," he said "When Aidan comes to, tell her I went on a break, but will be back soon."
"Ralph…" said Pam, only to see Ralph exit the room.
Tony looked at Pam. "I'll go follow him and get him ta come back," he said, heading out the door.
She looked at Aidan and sighed. "Sweetheart, please wake up. We need to know what happened to you before Ralph makes a big mistake," she said, brushing the bangs from the young woman's forehead.
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Ralph was halfway to the elevators when he felt someone grab him by the shoulder. Turning, he saw it was Tony. "Mr. H..."
"Leave me alone Tony. I'm going to go find Kevin," said Ralph as he jerked his shoulder out from Tony's grasp and kept walking.
"No, I ain't gonna leave ya alone. Why are ya actin' like some gung-ho cowboy instead of bein' here for your goddaughter?"
"She won't know I'm gone."
"Ya can't be sure about that. If she's trying ta come to like the doctor said she was and is in and out, she might know you're not here. Just at least do what Mrs. H said and wait until she's conscious."
"No. Tony, the last time Aidan was like this in the hospital, it was 36 hours with her being in and out. She's also been totally unresponsive for 6 hours in a hospital, and she lost part of her memory then. We don't know when she'll wake up, and by then, Kevin might be gone."
As they reached the elevator doors, Tony took a breath and let it out, surprised that Ralph was being just as stubborn as he normally was. "Mr. H, listen you're acting hotheaded here, especially since we don't know for sure that Kevin's the one who did this to her."
"Maybe, but I want to get some answers," said Ralph walking toward the elevator doors just as he heard the bell ring. He was surprised when he collided into someone, knocking them down.
"Ow! Geesh, go to a hospital and the doctors try ta put ya in there," said a slightly gruff voice as he got up and walked out of the elevator doors.
"Sorry Bill," said Ralph, realizing Bill became the perfect diversion.
"Ya OK Maxwell," said Tony.
"Yeah, but where's the fire..." he said, only to see Ralph enter the elevator and press the button. "Ralph, what are ya?…"
"Just don't butt in, you or Tony," said Ralph as the doors closed.
"Damn," said Tony as he tried to open the door to no avail.
Bill looked at Tony, still confused. "Uh, Villacana, what was that all about? Last thing I heard Artie was hurt and taken to the ER. Went there and they said she was in a room."
Tony frowned, thinking about what Ralph said. "Yeah… she's in room 306."
"What happened to her? All the Counselor said was she was hurt."
"Ade was beaten up pretty bad at the mall, and for a while we thought she might've been raped on top of it. That's probably why Mrs. H said just hurt."
"So, did they..." said Bill, rubbing the back of his neck. He was having difficulty saying it, even more so imagining that happening to Aidan.
"No, but she's still out cold."
"Then why is he knocking down old men and not taking care of her?"
"Mr. H thinks that the perp is Kevin."
"Kevin? That sweet little twerp that he and that ugly ex-wife of his had?"
"The same," said Tony. "While we were at the mall, the Cub woke up briefly and mumbled Kevin's name when Mr. H asked who did this to her."
"That's not the best way to plan a scenario, using a semi-alert gal's words to go after someone," said Bill.
"I know that and you know that. Mr. H doesn't, and given Kevin's gotta history of being mean to Ade, I have a feeling he might feel he's the one. He says he's just gonna ask questions, but with Aidan looking like an Easter egg, I don't think so."
Bill frowned and handed Tony the bag he had been carrying and pushed the elevator button. He started thinking about this scenario himself. Bill knew that Ralph had a temper, and he needed to calm him down before he did something that he would regret.
Tony meanwhile was rummaging through the bag Bill gave him. Inside was a camouflage shirt and a box with a green crystal rosary in it. Tony chuckled. "Hey, Maxwell, where did ya get this?" he said, looking at the rosary.
"From the gift shop."
"OK, but why a rosary?"
"It's a necklace isn't it?" he said gruffly. Noticing that the elevator was stopping at each level, he frowned. "Huh, glad he took an elevator where a kid punched all the buttons, and was going up first," mumbled Bill as he looked for the stairs.
"No, you don't wear them around your neck, at least most of the time," chuckled Tony, who then unfolded the shirt. On it was a duck with a bandaged wing and head, with the words "Quackers about UCLA Medical Center" in hot pink on its chest. "Maxwell, why did ya choose this shirt? Aidan doesn't wear ducks."
"Ya kiddin' me, she'll like the shirt. Besides, it was the only shirt in her size," said Bill as he found and walked toward the stairs.
"Maxwell, she's been in the hospital three times, so why add insult ta injury with a shirt that has UCLA Medical Center on it," chuckled Tony, only to notice that Bill was no longer next to him. He turned and saw Bill was heading toward the stairs. "Hey, wait up Maxwell," he said as he ran up to his side.
"Can't wait. Ralph needs me ta be there, and I don't have much time 'til Ralph hits the bottom level. I ain't as fast as I usedta be."
"Maybe, but I should go with him."
"No, Villacana," said Bill. Before the agent could protest, he continued. "Listen, Ralph and me have known each other for a long time. He might not listen to you if he finds Kevin, but he will me."
Tony nodded slightly. "So, what do ya want me ta do?"
"You stay here with Artie and the Counselor and wait for the youngster ta wake up. I'll call ya as soon as we find where he is."
The younger agent nodded and watched as Bill headed down the stairs. Tony then started praying that Aidan would wake up soon, not just for her health, but to get the facts straight. Ralph and Kevin's futures as father and son depended on it.
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After a few minutes, Ralph finally reached the bottom floor of the hospital. Grumbling slightly at the trip, he then started heading down the hallway toward the doors.
Shortly thereafter, Bill reached the bottom floor and got out, looking around to see how far behind he was Ralph. He turned to his left and saw a familiar mop of blond, but graying curls and walked over toward Ralph.
"What d'ya think you're doin' Kid," Bill asked once he reached Ralph. Even with his back turned Bill could see what the battle of trying to stay in control and hide the emotions of that this was his fault.
"I am going after who ever did..."
"You mean Kevin" Bill interrupted; Ralph turned around with a sigh and nodded running a hand through his hair.
"Yeah, I am. Tony must've told you huh?"
"He did, and I'm quite surprised at 'cha Ralph. Ya never have left the hospital when Artie's been stuck in there. Well, 'cept when her grandma told ya to," said Bill. "Strong dame there, did something I couldn't do when Artie was in here after that plane crash..."
Ralph just kept walking. "There's a difference. This time it wasn't an accident. He beat her, and I want some answers."
Bill realizing he wasn't going to get the man to return to the hospital, sighed. "Well your not going alone," he said simply.
"But..."
Bill held up his hand stopping Ralph from protesting "No argument Kid, I might be retired but this Dog still has a few tricks."
"More like old Dog," Ralph said and turned to walk out of the hospital. Ralph smiled when he heard Bill follow and make a comment about Ralph respecting his elders.
'Just like old times' Ralph thought as he shook his head relieved that he didn't have to confront Kevin alone. The thought of Kevin brought back the hurt and anger he felt before. He wanted so much to believe that Kevin was innocent but all the evidence proved the opposite. He pushed the emotions back and said prayer to who ever would listen for his family especially his goddaughter and for help in finding Kevin.
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As Ralph and Bill were leaving the hospital, Kevin and his friends were entering their two-story bungalow.
After getting some beers out of the refrigerator, Jayson sat down on an oversized brown leather couch and frowned. "You know, I wish I could've had my fun screwing that girl," he said shifting his weight slightly. "I'm still sore from her kicking me."
"Me too," said Zane, taking a long sip of his beer. "Damn people have to ruin our fun by taking out the trash. At least she was totally out when we dumped her. Probably won't remember anything for a long time."
Kevin stared at his beer and started to think. What Zane didn't know was that, with the exception of when her parents died, she had a memory like a steel trap. He remembered that even 15 years after being in the hospital to get her tonsils removed, she remembered the entire day to the most minute detail - with the exception of when she was under anesthesia for the surgery.
Knowing this, he did start to wonder about her more. Kevin still shuddered at the memory of Jayson putting his hands over Aidan's body and touching her inappropriately. While he was thankful Aidan wasn't raped - or worse, he knew that once she came to, Ralph would find out about him witnessing her assault ... and he'd have to defend himself.
A voice interrupted his thoughts. "Hey Kev, you still with us?" said Zane. "We asked you a question: Do you think that cousin of yours will say anything about this if she remembers?"
Kevin cleared his throat. "Don't think so. Given the way we did a number on her, I don't think she'll say anything," he said, feigning cockiness. "Plus, she wants my father and me to get back together, and she wouldn't say anything to ruin that chance. We'll get off."
"Good, 'cause I don't want to get another rap for assaulting a bitch like that," said Jayson.
"Trust me I am not going to jail because of her, and if my father knew I was in on it, he'd stop at nothing until he found us. Goes to show you how much he cares about her over me," he said, still growing angry at how much Ralph favored Aidan over him.
"Yeah, well who cares if your old man came after us we'd just give him the same treatment as we did his little princess," said Zane, giving a sick smirk.
Kevin shuddered. "Nah, he'll just go and treat Aidan with kid gloves again," he said as he took another drink.
Looking at his watch, Jayson nodded to Zane, and both got up. "Listen, Zane and me have got to get some things at a... store. Why don't you crash and we'll be back in a little bit?"
"Sure," said Kevin as he sat down on the couch, still thinking about what happened to Aidan.
Jayson and Zane left the bungalow and headed toward their pickup truck. Getting in, Zane cleared his throat, suspicious of what was going on with their friend. "So, do you think Kevin's lyin' and he's worried about Aidan?" he said.
"Doubt it. Besides, it doesn't matter. She was as good as dead when we put her in the dumpster," said Jayson as he turned on the ignition and backed up. Seeing Zane open his mouth to debate the issue, he continued. "Listen, it's getting dark, and people dump garbage in there all day long. Given how hard I swung that board at her head and the injuries we gave her, that twerp doesn't stand a chance of surviving."
Zane nodded. "Yeah, you're right. So... we heading to the drug barn?"
"'Course, you think we're going to the grocery store? We need to make sure that crack is ready for delivery tonight," said the other man as he turned the corner to head toward the old abandoned warehouse turned restaurant. The amount of drugs they had would make them very wealthy, and all they had to do was get it ready for shipment. And, because he showed no fear harming Aidan, they were going to even let Kevin in on the cut.
