Here's the next chapter! Sorry it took so long to get up and I apologize if it's kind of slow; I had a lot of tests and work this past week and this kinda got placed on the back burner. Regardless of all of that, here it is! Enjoy!
The General looked at Dr. Knox, a stern look replacing the sheepish one on his face. "I did not do anything. I was visiting my son and as I was leaving he woke up and saw me, then he just started freaking out."
Before Dr. Knox could respond, a very angered Ed stepped forward. "You went to see him?! I thought it was agreed on that you wouldn't see him until he was stable enough to handle it?"
"I just wanted to see him. I was only in the room for a few minutes. He just had open-heart surgery for crying out loud! How was I supposed to know he was going to wake up?"
"Regardless of whether or not you knew he would wake up or not you were not supposed to be in there!" Major Braddock stated, glaring at his brother.
Dr. Knox cleared his throat and glared at the General. "I don't know what you all decided, but your little 'visit' sent your son into cardiac arrest."
Everyone gasped, shocked at Dr. Knox's news. Natalie and Mrs. Braddock started crying again, and Jules was not far behind. The men in the room looked ready to hit something, or rather someone. Major Braddock had to clench and unclench his fists a few times before turning to face Dr. Knox. "Is Sam alright?"
"He had to be defibrillated twice, but we got him back." Dr. Knox was interrupted by the relieved sighs of everyone in the room. He gave a small smile and continued on. "He's resting comfortably and hopefully there won't be any more problems." Dr. Knox gave a pointed look at the General then looked back at the rest of the group. "Now, about Sam's recovery. Assuming that this little incident will have no long lasting effects and that Sam will remain stable throughout the night, we have plans of moving him down to the CCU tomorrow afternoon. As far as when he will be released, we'll just have to play that by ear. Now, all of you, go home and get some sleep. It's been a long day for everyone."
With that, Dr. Knox left the room. Those left in the room were exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and it was evident on all of their faces. Major Braddock walked over to where Natalie and Mrs. Braddock were standing. He spoke quietly to them and though their faces showed hesitation and uncertainty, but after a bit of convincing from Major Braddock, the two Braddock women agreed to go home for the night. As they collected their belongings, Major Braddock went over to where Team One and Commander Holleran were gathered. They all turned to look at him as he approached.
"How are they doing?" Greg asked quietly as he gestured towards the two Braddock women.
Major Braddock sighed. "Fairly well, given the circumstances. I finally convinced them to go back to Sam's place and get some sleep. It wasn't easy. Apparently the 'Braddock stubbornness' isn't just something you're born with, it also comes with marriage." The group of SRU officers smile, knowing first hand, just how stubborn Braddocks can be. "I have to check in with my men and see what information they were able to gather and then figure out what I'm going to do about him." Major Braddock nodded his head towards his brother, who was now standing apart from everyone and talking on the phone.
"Is he going to get in a lot of trouble for this little stunt?" Jules asked, her eyes still burning with rage at the General for the pain he caused Sam.
"Oh yeah. The CCA already didn't like him, and the DND is going to have a field day. Depending on their ruling of the situation, his punishment could be demotion, dishonorable discharge or anything in between. He's not getting out of this unscathed. There will be hell to pay, especially since the CCA has kind of a sweet spot for Sam."
Team One smiled and Ed chuckled. "He is quite the charmer."
Major Braddock smiled at the fondness shown for his one and only nephew. "He is, but it's more than that. There was a lot that went on during Sam's time in the military that very few people know about. Sam proved his loyalty, time and time again, not only to his teammates but to his COs and his country as well. Loyalty and honor go a long way with the CCA."
"It goes a long way with us as well, Major." Ed stated.
"Sam is an asset to this team and the SRU. He's one of ours, and we protect our own." Greg added, conviction strong in his voice.
"Team Two has been working this case all day. Troy checked in with me about an hour ago and told me that they were heading back to the barn to start looking things over. I'm planning on stopping by and getting an update on where we are with this whole thing." Commander Holleran announced, looking at his SRU officers. They all nodded slightly and then Commander Holleran looked at Major Braddock. "My guys have been keeping in contact with your guys. A one, Corporal Thomas is acting as a liaison of sorts between the groups. He's at the SRU headquarters right now with Team Two sharing information as we speak. I will be heading that way to check on things as soon as I leave here."
Major Braddock nodded his understanding to Commander Holleran. "I'm going to drop them off at Sam's place for the night and then I think I will join you." Major Braddock paused and looked at the General who was still talking on the phone. "Well, the General and I will join you. He won't be leaving my side until I talk to the CCA and figure out what to do with him."
Commander Holleran nodded with a small smile forming on his face. "I understand." Holleran looked from the Major to his top team of SRU officers. "You all need to go home and get some sleep. You're on protection detail bright and early in the morning."
Greg looked at his team, then back to his commanding officer. "Actually sir, I think we will all join you back at HQ."
The rest of Team One confirmed Greg's statement, all of them nodding their agreement. Commander Holleran sighed, knowing it was no use arguing with them. With a plan in the work, everyone left the family room. After a brief argument, one in which Major Braddock threatened to have him arrested, General Braddock finally agreed to the plan. The Braddocks leave to drop the women off at Sam's while Team One and Commander Holleran head towards the barn. Half an hour later, Team One, Commander Holleran, all of Team Two, Corporal Thomas, Major Braddock and the General are all in the briefing room, gathered around the table looking through all the gathered evidence. After receiving any new information from Corporal Thomas, Major Braddock sent him home and called one of his men back on base. Once the phone call ended, he looked into the concerned, serious faces of several SRU officers and a stoic face of a slightly annoyed army General. "My guys just sent over some new information. It should be in your email now."
Spike opened his laptop and logged into his account. Seconds later, images and case reports filled the big screen in the briefing room. "OK, so the prints recovered from the shell casings found at the scene have been matched to this man, Amir Faris," Spike brought up his passport picture and continued talking. "He and his brother Ali arrived from Kandahar two days ago. We have footage of them leaving the Toronto International Airport and hailing a cab, but no other information on where they went or where they are right now."
Ed sighed and rubbed his head. "So they could be anywhere now. Great, that's just great."
"Actually Ed, I'm fairly certain that they are still here in Toronto. They haven't popped up on any airport surveillance cameras and there has been no activity with their passports."
"My men have put their names, complete with pictures, on the 'No Fly' list in case they try to leave." Major Braddock announced, trying to add some positivity to the room.
Greg nodded to the General. "Spike, send out their names and photos to all surrounding hotels, hospitals, and major businesses. Make sure they know that they should contact us immediately if they see or know anything about the whereabouts of these men. Be sure to add that they should not engage with these guys."
Spike immediately began typing. "Right, Sarge."
Once the email was finished and sent to all possible locations, Commander Holleran sent everyone, minus Team Two who were still on shift, home for the night, promising to keep them all updated if anything were to happen. Major Braddock extended the same promise, then left with a still disgruntled General Braddock in tow.
Less than an hour later, Team One got the call they had all been waiting for. Amir and Ali were found at a local hotel and were being brought in for questioning and charged with attempted murder of a police officer. Everyone went to sleep that night with an enormous weight lifted off of their shoulders and were ready for whatever the next few days would throw at them.
*CCA stands for Commander of the Canadian Army and DND is Department of National Defense.*