Chp. 8

Jack wanted to get Sam out of the hospital clandestinely, but he knew that if they tried to be sneaky about it, it was just draw more unwanted attention. After a quick powwow with Mike and Kenny, they decided to have the doctor order a CAT scan, as the radiology lab was in the basement, and they'd just get Sam and Alex out that way. It didn't take much convincing to order the procedure. The three former Special Operations warriors had a rather intimidating effect on the doctor, and they even said please. Sam, however, was another matter.

"Will it hurt, Alwexx?" Sam asked, fear in his voice. Alexx smiled down at him reassuringly.

"No, baby, it won't. All you have to do is lay very still. You go inside this big circle, and a camera takes pictures of your head." Alexx explained. She was on one side of the gurney that Sam was laying on and Jack, Kenny, Mike and Horatio were at all four corners. While Sam was asleep, Jack had given Alexx the Glock 26 subcompact 9mm pistol he'd brought for her. He was surprised when she took the weapon without protest and put it in her purse, along with the two spare magazines.

"Will you come with me, Alwexx?" Sam asked.

Alexx looked at Sam again. "Of course, baby."

As they moved through the basement to the radiology lab, he noticed an orderly standing there but doing nothing. The hallway was empty, except for this man. The man was dressed in scrubs, but what gave him away was a face mask. Not wanting to alert the subject by telling anyone, Jack brought his shotgun up and pointed at the man's head. "MDPD! Hand's where I see 'em. Now!" The others followed suit without having to be told. The man, having been made, hesitated then reached for something on his waistband. Jack saw the movement. "Uh uh, that's not a good idea, friend. This shotguns loaded with triple ought buckshot. I will aim for vital organs and I promise that you will bleed to death before help arrives." Jack said, his voice cold and deadly. His words sent a chill up Alexx's spine, and she wondered if he was capable of killing someone.

The man looked at him and shook his head. "No, you won't. Not in front of the boy and the woman." With that, he drew his weapon and turned. Jack lowered his shotgun and fired. In the confined hallway, the shotgun sounded more like a cannon. Alexx watched in horror as the man's leg separated at the kneecap and he fell to the ground, screaming in pain. She was torn by her duty as a physician to help this man, and at the same time wanting to take care of Sam, who was hysterical.

Jack ignored Sam's cries, and moved to the man he'd just shot. He knelt next to him and asked, "Who sent you?"

The man's only response was to spit on him. Jack looked at Kenny, who was standing on the man's other side, and nodded. The former Seal kicked the would-be assassin in the ribs hard enough that Jack was sure at least three were broken. "Now, let's try again, who sent you?"

The man looked at Jack and the former soldier knew he only had minutes to extract the information he needed. "Clav…Clavo." The man said, with considerable effort, as he struggled for each breath. Then he died at Jack's feet, the former Delta Force soldier showed not a sign of remorse for what he had done. At least, none that Alexx could see.

000

Thirty minutes later, when the night shift CSI's had been rousted from their beds and were processing the scene, Jack approached his father. "The name Clavo mean anything to you?" Jack asked.

Horatio was silent for a minute, and then he said. "I believe he was referring to Clavo Cruz." Horatio sighed. "You don't want to mess with him, Jack; he has diplomatic immunity."

Jack snickered. "Never stopped me before."

Horatio didn't want to know the meaning behind that statement. He glanced over at Alexx and Sam, where were sitting in a corner, Sam in Alexx's lap. "I suggest you go talk to them."

"What do I say? What about IAB?" Jack asked.

Horatio smiled. "You let me worry about IAB."

Jack nodded, and walked to Alexx and Sam. Sam saw him coming and buried his face in Alexx's chest. Jack felt the smallest pang of regret at what he'd done, but let it pass. He knelt in front of them. "You guys ok?" He asked, in part because he truly was concerned and in part because he had to say something.

Alexx looked him coldly. "Yeah, Jack, we're fine."

Sam turned and looked at him. "Was dat guy gonna hurt us?"

Jack nodded. "Yes, Sam, he was."

"But you stoppted him?"

"Yes, I did."

"Did he tell you who hurted me?" Sam asked, genuine fear in his voice.

Jack hesitated. Based on Sam's earlier reaction to the man who'd hurt him, presumably Clavo Cruz, telling him that Jack knew who hurt him wouldn't go over well. But Jack finally decided he couldn't lie to the kid. "Yes, Sam, he did."

Sam's eyes widened in fear. "Are you gonna kill him too?"

But before Jack could answer he heard someone yelling his name. He stood quickly and walked toward the voice, which didn't sound friendly at all. He found a man on similar height and build with brown hair and dark eyes. "Help you?" Jack asked, sizing the man up.

"AIB detective Rick Stetler. Would you like to explain your actions?"

Jack looked at the man a longtime before answering. Finally, he said, "We were escorting a victim to the radiology lab and the suspect seemed out of place. I identified myself as a police officer and order him to raise his hands. He reached into his waistband and I again told him to raise his hands. He again ignored me, and as he raised the weapon I shot him in right knee cap."

Stetler snorted derisively. "You blew his leg off, you…" Stetler started to say, his voice raising. But he never finished the sentence. Jack grabbed the back of Rick's jacket and shoved him against the nearest wall. Then he leaned in close. "Listen very carefully, Rick. I don't care if you're the pope himself. If you impede my ability to protect Samuel, rest assured I will make you regret it. Now get lost." Jack said, then he released Rick and walked away. Rick, meanwhile, collected himself and decided retreat was the better part of valor.