Chapter 10:
*"The real science is discovery, Charles, not invention. The truths are there whether we find them or not." - Dr. Larry Fleinhardt
Season 1, Episode 11: Sacrifice*
*Later…Much Later*
Yvette's Diner wouldn't have been Donna's first choice of eating establishment, but then again she didn't actually have any intention of do any eating, which was probably for the best because the chef looked like he didn't actually have any intention of doing any cooking. Not that she trusted anything in the small diner to actually be clean enough to cook with or eat off of…
"What can I get you?" The old waitress practically growled, her voice jagged and gravely as a cigarette clung for dear life in the corner of her thin wrinkled lips. No, no one visited this particular establishment for the food…if they could help it. It was strictly 'business only' under this particular greasy spoon's harsh florescent lighting.
"Coffee, black…no sugar," She ordered doubtfully, not sure the woman would know what sugar was and not trusting the milk to not be off; surely they couldn't mess up a simple black coffee.
"Anything else? The waitress rasped disinterestedly as she scrawled the order on a tiny notepad she had produced from her grubby apron. Donna wasn't entirely sure the notepad was necessary. Was the waitress really likely to forget her one customer's order on the short walk back to the main counter? Mind you the waitress did look old and saggy…maybe she had a bad memory to boot!
"That's all," Donna grimaced as the rusty jukebox spluttered into life and started playing/ butchering Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid'. No, it was definitely hard to imagine anyone coming here by choice…
"Huh, I didn't think you'd actually show," Ian admitted slyly with a wry smile as he slipped into the booth opposite and gave Donna one of his 'knowing' glances that told her he'd known perfectly well she couldn't resist his invitation, even to a dump like this.
"Yes, well you do take a girl to the only the nicest places…" She responded in what she hoped was her best blasé tone possible considering her heart was pounding and her hands were shaking. "How could I resist?" She added flippantly shoving her hands under her legs, her palms scratching against the cracked vinyl. Donna believed they were going for a classic fifties retro vibe, it was either that or the diner hadn't been updated in sixty-four years. Scarily the latter seemed more likely! It would definitely explain the overwhelming aroma of grease and fat that was currently assaulting Donna's small nose and making her stomach churn, although Ian's presence had always produced a similar queasy feeling; so it was hard to tell what was making her want to barf more. She was sure it had to be that and not the numerous layers of dirt caked onto the peeling wallpaper or the mystery food stains on the tables…
"I thought you said to come alone," Donna spat at Ian through gritted teeth, as an incredibly dressed up woman proceeded to wipe a bar stool down with a hanky before tentatively sitting down at the front counter. "If I'm not mistaken that's the police commissioner of DC," Donna frowned as Gloria Brooks proceeded to tell the astonished waitress all about health codes and violations.
"I did, but it seems you also ignored that little condition of this meet," Ian shrugged, his face impassive as he looked meaningfully at a man barely in sight in a booth in the back corner. "How is Bandit these days?" Ian added calmly, his eyes never leaving Donna's face as he kept his face completely devoid of emotion.
"He's out of the army now," She told Ian quietly, trying to match his composure but failing miserably. "He runs his own private security firm."
"You brought him for protection?" Ian replied surprised as his gaze flicked from Donna to Grahame 'Bandit' Greene in the back. She was happy she'd managed to wrong-foot Ian but also felt a little guilty at the hurt she saw briefly flash behind his dark eyes before he could lock the emotion down.
"What did you expect after you threatened me and then lured me to a skeevy diner in the roughest neighbourhood in town?" Donna licked her lips nervously as she unconsciously tucked her golden hair behind her ears and ran her fingers through to the tips repetitively; it was an old habit she'd never managed to outgrow.
"It was more like a friendly reminder," Ian replied irritably, his eyebrows lowered in a dark frown as he looked at Donna a little more intently than she was completely comfortable with. "Donna," He whispered her name sadly as he crossed his arms and leaned across the dirty table, "You know I wouldn't hurt you…right?" Ian asked her quietly as the waitress waddled over leaving Donna with the impression that the answer was really important to him.
"One coffee," The waitress smiled a toothy grin at Donna as she plonked the coffee down between the two of them, sloshing coffee over the sides and onto the table uncaringly. "Can I get your friend anything?" The waitress pushed as she tapped the small notepad in her gnarled and sinewy hands.
"Another coffee please," Ian ordered without hesitation, his gaze never leaving Donna's as the waitress scrawled the order down before sauntering off to the back to talk to Bandit. "Donna," Ian whispered once the waitress was out of earshot once more, "I know I got angry before…but I really didn't bring you here to hurt you…or threaten you."
"Then why am I here?" She frowned confused, "I won't say it again because I don't know how else I can say it so that you'll believe me. I didn't leak your friend's name!"
"Hand over the recorder and I'll explain," Ian smiled wryly as he held a hand out expectantly across the table.
"What recorder?"
"The one you're using to tape this conversation. This conversation needs to be strictly off the record."
"Fine," Donna sighed unhappily as she handed the small Dictaphone in her pocket over and grumbled as he stopped the recording. "What do you want?"
"And the other one," Ian shook his head with mild amusement as she gave him her wide-eyed innocent 'who me' look of confusion. "I wasn't born yesterday," He smiled his small wolfish smile at her as he held his hand out and flexed his long slender fingers in a 'gimmie' gesture. "I know you remember? There's another recorder in your purse. Hand it over."
"Fine," She growled frustrated as she opened the small purse at her side and handed over her spare Dictaphone. "Now will you explain the need for this clandestine meet? Because I really didn't leak your friend's name, you got me thrown out of the hospital remember?"
"And yet you were found in her room this morning? Why, if you're innocent, were you there?"
"I told you I need this story to get my PTSD article published. When another newspaper got the story first…my editor was pissed. He gave me an ultimatum…get all the hospital records and inside scoop before another reporter or kiss my PTSD article goodbye…I need that article Ian…for James…"
"What if I help you get that article?" Ian offered after a moment as he sat back in the seat and gave her a long hard look as if he was still trying to work out if she really had leaked the story.
"I'd say 'what's the catch?'" Donna shook her head, "And what are you going to get her to do to me if I don't?"
"Nothing…" Ian sighed sadly as he flicked a look over to Gloria who was now berating the lazy chef. "I won't lie…I did bring Gloria along to intimidate you and to threaten you to drop your pursuit of this story."
"And what? I'm supposed to believe that you still won't?" Donna shook her head disbelievingly.
"She won't hurt you; neither of us will. The offer is still there though, a story for a story. That's my deal to you."
"And what story are you going to give me Edgerton?" Donna frowned disbelievingly, one hand on her purse ready to leave.
"I'm going to give you what you want. The un-redacted account of what happened in Afghanistan."
"Why now?" Donna leaned forward eagerly, not believing what she was hearing. "You told me to drop dead after the trial and the other day at the hospital…you weren't interested in telling me anything then either.
"Because this isn't about me," Ian frowned as he flicked an uncomfortable look at Gloria. "It's not about her either…this is about protecting a friend. Forget everything you saw today and I'll tell you what happened to your brother."
"The whole story?"
"The whole story."
"Deal. Meet me tomorrow at this address…this isn't a conversation I want to have here," Donna told him as she handed over a small business card before slipping from the booth, grabbing her purse and Dictaphones as she stood up and raked a nervous hand through her long curls. "Make sure you come before twelve. I already have the story written and I will send it to my editor if you don't show."
"Hey, finger off the trigger please!" Ian frowned as he too slipped from the small booth to block her way before she could leave. "I said you'll get your answers and you'll get them. We've known each other a long time. When have I ever given you reason to doubt me?"
"Lately?"
"You'll get your story."
"Until tomorrow then," Donna smiled a small forced little smile as she dropped a couple of bills on the table to cover the coffee before leaving. Bandit was already waiting for her when she made her way outside and instead of saying anything, simply fell into step as she strode as fast as she could past the homeless and hookers to where she had parked her car.
*The Next Day*
"So mom brought in a few bits and bobs…" Lila told Robin as she opened a large duffle bag on the long patient's table for Robin to see. "It's not much, a few nighties and a dressing gown, some fresh underwear and a couple tops and trousers…"
"How thoughtful," Robin yawned sarcastically as Lila pushed the table away and sat down next to her older sister.
"They've been going at it like usual," Lila whispered conspiritably as she crossed her bare legs and pulled at the hem of her tight dress as it rode up her thighs. "Mom and Dad…you should have seen Don tell them to pack it in!"
"I'm sure it was a picture," Robin replied slowly, giving her sister only a ghost of a smile as she attempted to sit a little higher on the bed but ended up only slipping lower.
"Well dad's was. Mom just turned on the charm as usual then demanded to come see you at once!" Lila mimicked their mother's soft lilt then Sharpe tongue as she smiled larger to compensate for her sister's lack of enthusiasm. "She should have been here sooner," Lila admitted angrily as she fiddled with her cherry red hair, putting it into a French plait with practiced ease.
"She's here now," Robin replied sadly as she turned towards the window with a far off gaze in her eyes that told Lila that Robin didn't want to discuss it. Lila could respect that but she still didn't think that it was on, responsibilities or not you should drop everything when your daughter is in the hospital and might have died. It said a lot about their mother that Lila wasn't even surprised at Gloria's late and over preformed entrance.
"Did you want me to help you dress?" Lila asked uncertainly, unsure of what to say next. "The physio is coming today…to get you out of bed…I could help you look your best?"
"It would be nice to get out of this hospital gown," Robin admitted reluctantly as Lila clapped her hands excitedly before jumping up and raiding the large duffle bag. "What about these?" Lila asked as she held a dark red silk shirt and black slacks against her slim body to show them off to Robin.
"No," Robin shook her head as Lila ruffled in the bag again, this time pulling out a lilac blouse with ruffled sleeves. "God, I haven't worn that in years! Why'd mom pick that one?" Robin laughed as Lila stuck out her tongue and threw it over her shoulder before holding out two more tops, one was a light cotton shirt without sleeves that tied up at the bottom and the other was a dark emerald green turtle neck.
"Ok, this is a disaster!" Lila declared dramatically, scarily more like Gloria that she'd like to know, before tossing all the tops back into Don's old duffle bag. "I'll get Charlie to take me to yours and I'll get you some decent stuff to wear!"
"I'd like to wear the green one actually," Robin nodded at the sleeve that hadn't quite made it into the bag and was trailing towards the ground.
"Really?"
"Really," Robin nodded again as Lila grabbed the top from the bag and brought it over to Robin with a pair of grey cotton slacks and a fresh bra and pants. "I won't need the bra," Robin handed it back as Lila drew the curtain closed around the bed for privacy in case anyone chose that moment to walk in.
"Do you need a hand?" Lila asked nervously as Robin winced trying to pull her pants down without catching the bandage there.
"Yes," Robin gasped as pain shot from her arse down the backs of her legs to her toes.
"Here," Lila told her sister as she took over pulling the pants down and left it to Robin to just hold her hips up, which looked like a struggle. "Are they sure you'll be able to get out of bed today?" Lila asked uncertainly as she placed Robin's legs inside the holes of the pants and slacks before pulling them roughly up Robin's bruised legs.
"I just want out of this bed already," Robin replied more vehemently than she had intended, so she softened her voice and tried again. "I need to get out of this bed today," She whispered breathlessly as she leaned forwards and let Lila pull the hospital gown over her head and along her arms.
"I just hate to see you in so much pain," Lila grimaced as she pulled Robin's arms through the sleeves of the turtle neck and shimmied it along, doing her best to avoid bumping Robin's burned shoulder, but not doing a very good job of it.
"I know you do," Robin replied out of breath as she flopped back against the pillows and looked down at her chest that was now covered in green cashmere, not a bandage in sight. "Perfect," She smiled properly for the first time, worrying Lila more than if she had frowned.
"Knock, knock," A male voice called out before the curtain was slowly pealed back to reveal the young intern Tony Griffiths and another woman dressed in a polo shirt and sweats. "Lisa here is your physical therapist, she'll be the one responsible for getting you up and about and showing you how to work around your shoulder injury, until you're feeling stronger.
"Hi," Lisa smiled brightly making Robin wince. More likely the one who'll be responsible for torturing her over the next few days, Robin thought bitterly as she forced a smile on her face and said hello because she had been raised right.
"Are you ready?" Tony asked Lila who was already grabbing her purse and heading for the door. Robin had wondered why her sister was so dressed up and now she knew. Lila had a date with her intern, meaning she was left alone with Lisa who looked like a Barbie doll with her platinum blond hair; big boobs and pink outfit…great…let the torture begin!
"Did you want me to get anyone to come and hold your hand?" Barbie asked as Ian slipped silently into the room making Robin smile as he gave her a conspiratorial wink.
"No, I'll be fine," Robin grinned as Lisa turned around and jumped when she saw Ian leaning against the back wall.
"Carry on Doc," Ian nodded seriously as he gestured at Robin, "I'll keep out of your way."
"Ok then," She frowned for a moment before plastering a fake grin on her face and turning to face Robin again. "How far can you swing your legs to the edge of the bed without help?"
*Break*
"Wow, they really don't like to make this place easy to get into," Agent Ollie Burnett whispered out of the corner of his mouth as he and Special Agent Marc Denam clipped on their temporary visitor badges after a unnecessary grilling from the front desk.
"I know," Marc frowned his annoyance as he looked down at his high tech watch, they were twenty minutes late already and Marc really hated to miss the start of a briefing. Damn, but he could also do with a smoke. "It's easier to get into the Pentagon!" Marc vented furiously as he picked up his camouflaged cane from the side of the desk and shuffled his way over to the guard manning the metal detector. He was a large portly fellow who was incredibly red in the neck where is shirt collar slowly seemed to be choking him. "Special Agent Marcus Denam," He informed the guard as he held out his ATF badge and flashed the visitor's badge. "Just a head's up," Marc told the guard as he gave the man a strained smile, he hated metal detectors more than he hated missing the beginning of a briefing. "I have a large metal chunk of shrapnel in my leg, so the second I walk through the detector it's going to light up like a damn Christmas tree."
"I can't just let you through," The guard blustered irritatingly. "You'll have to come into the security office to be searched.
"But we're missing a very important meeting right now!" Ollie replied outraged as Marc told himself to stay calm and not lose his cool, just like he had practiced at that anger management seminar after he'd discharged his weapon in a 'public space'. He still maintained that the jukebox had had it coming and that he'd been doing the 'public' a service shooting it. Shame that the Detectives at the local cop bar hadn't agreed…that seminar really had been a waste of everyone's time anyway, especially his!
"Agents Burnett and Denam?" A tall man in a beige suit asked from the other side of the metal detector's locked gate.
"That's us," Ollie replied a little too enthusiastically for Marc's taste. Rookies, were always too eager and bouncy so early in the morning, Marc just didn't know how Ollie had the energy. Marc had hit the snooze alarm twice this morning and had still been reluctant to leave his bed. He'd fallen into some bad habits since leaving the marines. Mind you he wasn't as young as he'd been back then.
"It's ok Earl, they're with me, we've been expecting them," The man in beige smiled with perfect straight white teeth and looked harmless enough but Marc detected a slight edge to the smile. The man was clearly someone important and someone who was used to having to cut across the red tape.
"Of course AD Callaghan…sir!" Earl stumbled as he stepped aside to let Marc and Ollie through.
"Let them through the gate Earl," Callaghan sighed with exaggerated patience as he smiled that cutting smile at Marc. "We wouldn't want the metal detector to light up like a damn Christmas tree after all."
"Yes…yes, of course! Let me just find the right key…ah, here we go…" Earl replied flustered as he rushed to open the gate and hold it open for Ollie, who practically skipped through, and for Marc with his awkward cane and shuffle step. The leg had been particularly stiff and painful that morning but Marc was determined to show everyone that he was back in the field and ready for whatever was thrown his way. He just had to make it through the day without shooting something. After meeting earl, Marcus was beginning to think it'd be harder than he'd initially thought.
"This way," The AD gestured with his head as he steered them to the elevator around the corner. "Briefing is on the nineteenth floor."
*Break*
"You've been quiet for a while," Robin told Ian softly as she lifted her head from his shoulder to get a good look at him. "You haven't fallen asleep have you?" She asked when she realised his eyes were closed.
"Would you blame me if I did? This is quiet a comfortable little window seat," Ian smiled peacefully, as he opened one eyelid to peer at the look of serious consideration that passed over Robin's pale face.
"I suppose not…I would join you in sleeping but it's a little hard for my tastes," Robin sighed as she settled her head back on Ian's shoulder and looked out at the small room that she was slowly beginning to despise. She wanted to get out…she wanted to go home…
"I've slept in worse spots," Ian shrugged as he put an arm around Robin's shoulders, making sure to be careful of the burn, and pulled her close. "You did good today. I know it doesn't seem like it, but making it from your bed to the window seat is an achievement. A…bench mark if you'd prefer…" He grinned wickedly as she snuggled closer.
"I know," She sighed frustrated as she looked down at the grey slacks covering the numerous bruises on her legs. It seemed stupid that they should hurt so much. The burn and drugs had distracted her tired body so much that she hadn't appreciated just how battered the rest of her body felt. But now she needed to move about she was only too aware of how weak she was and if there was one thing Robin Brooks couldn't tolerate it was weakness. Perhaps that was why she felt so connected to the man next to her right now. He understood that nagging need for perfection. He looked at her and saw the strength she still had left…not like Don…all he could see was weakness…weakness and imperfection. "He's trying too hard," Robin told Ian quietly before she lost the bottle to say it at all.
"At least he's trying," Ian whispered against her soft clean hair. A nurse had been by that morning to help Robin wash it and she was glad too, it'd started to get really itchy and she already had one itch she couldn't scratch…except it wasn't really an itch, it felt more like her skin was shrinking and the temptation to try and pull it back was overwhelmingly strong. "Don loves you, cut him a break…it's not easy seeing the one you love in danger."
"Charlie? Is he ok?"
"He's fine…"
"Are you?"
"That's a loaded question," Ian sighed sadly as he crossed and uncrossed his long legs on the chair he'd pulled over to use as a makeshift footstool.
"Well?" Robin pushed Ian for answers as she yawned loudly before laying down so that her head was rested in Ian's lap. Come to think about it, the sun was kind of making her sleepy, that or the drugs the physio had given her were finally kicking in.
"I still see it you know…the moment when the gun raises and I see it's pointed right at Charlie…I close my eyes and we're back there. He's across the room and I can't get to him. I see Brian die, again and again…and sometimes…I'm the one that kills him. Then I wake up and I'm sweating and I'm holding my gun. She's in prison, I know that she is and yet…it's like she's still here…inside my head and as much as I try to shut her out I still hear that voice taunting me. I've seen a lot of shit in my life and I've done some pretty shit things too…none of it compares. I knew what I was fighting then...knew what I was fighting for…now it's like I'm fighting myself and I just can't see a way that that ever ends well…Charlie doesn't know. Or at least he does but doesn't know how bad it's gotten."
"Have you thought about telling him? It might help to just put it out there?" Robin whispered as Ian stroked her soft hair comfortingly.
"What about you? Have you thought about telling Don about your nightmares?" Ian replied impassively but Robin could sense Ian's concern. At least he wasn't treating her like an invalid though. She'd been through something…something terrible, but that didn't mean she was made of glass…Don needed to stop treating her like she might break at any moment.
"He's already being overly protective…he's better off not knowing."
"What about Logan and Elliott? Have you thought about telling them what you really saw before the bomb went off?"
"Now that's a loaded question!"
"I'm serious…they have a still from a CTTV camera…you're looking right at the bomber Robin. Are you really telling me that you don't remember anything about him?" Ian asked as softly as he could but the truth was he wasn't really a soft person, so comforting someone else was definitely foreign territory.
"I remember how scared he was," Robin whispered sadly as tears leaked from the corners of her eyes and slid down her flushed cheeks onto Ian's worn jeans.
"What about how he looked?" Ian asked, this time doing the pushing as he wiped the tears away on the back of his hands.
"He was middle aged…his hair was cropped short…he was wearing this big coat…he was just so afraid!" Robin cried as she turned her face away from Ian ashamed.
"You feel sorry for him?" Ian asked surprised as he turned Robin's face back towards him.
"I don't know…I just know that he didn't look like he wanted to hurt anybody…he got a call on his mobile. But he didn't answer it straight away. It just rang and rang and then the bomb went off…"
"Interesting…"
"What is?" Robin hiccupped as she used her sleeves to dry her wet cheeks.
"They have a theory that the bomber has…had an accomplice…I wonder if they've considered that he might have been a victim too…"
"I really don't think he wanted to hurt anyone…" Robin admitted reluctantly. "I should hate him…he did this…" She gestured at the room and at her shoulder. "But he just looked so damn scared…call Logan…tell him that the bomber was afraid…tell him to find who did this to us and stop them…"
"Don't worry," Ian nodded reassuringly as he scooped Robin up and carried her back over to her bed. "I have…to be somewhere right now though, so I'll call Logan on my way and let him know."
"Are you meeting that reporter again? Is that where you're going?" Robin asked quietly, her voice still a little quaky from crying.
"I thought you were asleep for all that!" Ian frowned, surprised again. Robin was just as shocked; she had always seen Ian as omniscient and unflappable, she didn't like seeing that he wasn't, or at least wasn't all of the time.
"Are you though?" She asked again.
"Yes…"
"Is she going to write the story?" Robin asked hesitantly, unsure how she really felt about all that. It made her sick to see herself on the TV being talked about like some kind of victim…she didn't exactly want people reading about it either.
"No. I convinced her not to."
"How?"
"By offering to give her what she wanted…the truth about her brother…about my last trip to Afghanistan."
"I don't want you to tell her anything…the story will be written…by her or someone else eventually. Don't compromise yourself for me…" Robin blushed embarrassedly as Ian came over and kissed the top of her head affectionately.
"I told everyone I'll sort it and I will. Besides…Donna has a right to know…"
"What really did happen to her brother?"
"I shot him." Ian replied impassively, whatever storm going on inside of him completely locked down till his face was completely devoid of expression. "You should get some sleep. I'll be back to check on you later."
"Ok," Robin yawned as her lids grew heavy and she snuggled into the sheets that little bit more. "And Ian," Robin called out, stopping him in the doorway, his hand on the handle ready to close.
"Yes Robin?"
"Thank you," She smiled slowly, her eyes already shut and her voice sluggish with sleep.
"You're welcome," Ian whispered back, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he closed the door and pulled his phone out of his pocket ready to dial Logan's number. He knew that they were having their big briefing at the moment but Ian was confident Logan would take the call and who knew, it could be the sort of curve ball this investigation had been waiting for.
*Break*
"Who was that?" Nick asked Logan as he and two other men that Logan didn't know stepped out of the small lift and made their way single file down the many partitioned desks towards him.
"Ian," Logan replied hesitantly as he cast a wary eye over the two newcomers. The younger one had bright ginger hair that swept across his head from a parting on one side of his head that looked as if it had been pushed there by some invisible wind. He was also staring at Logan with wide emerald coloured eyes that were a little too eager for his liking. Agent William Chase had also had that same rookie glow around him until the Child Snatcher's accomplice had snatched it away when he'd snatched away the life of Agent Chase's best friend Detective Hamilton…
Logan hadn't felt old a moment ago, but he certainly felt old in the rookie's presence and apparently so did the man towering over the new kid. At six foot six, the grim looking Agent looked like a slightly bulkier Edgerton. They both shared the same haggard and impassive gaze that let you know that they had your measure and knew that if it came to it, they could take you. Unlike Edgerton however, Logan could feel the anger rolling off of the man dressed simply in an ATF long sleeved shirt and khakis. Logan suspected it had something to do with the camouflaged cane grasped tightly at his side. There was a story behind this one, and Logan suspected that it didn't have a happy ending.
"Agent's Burnett and Denam I presume?" Logan asked Nick, although he already knew the answer. Elliott had mentioned that he'd called in an ATF expert. Logan just hadn't been expecting…well such a…there really was no delicate way to put it…Logan hadn't been expecting to see a cripple who looked like he had come straight from an navy recruiting ad.
"What did Ian want?" Nick replied ignoring Logan's question as he skipped over the unnecessary introductions and gestured for them all to follow him to the bull pen where the others were still waiting on Elliott's guests' arrival.
"Robin remembered something about the bomber. It's big…and you're not going to like it," Logan sighed tiredly. He'd only been in the role of acting SAIC for little over a week and he was knackered. He felt like he'd been pulled in so many different directions that he'd barely had time to keep up with the progress of the bombing case.
Truth be told, he'd barely thought about it since the last meeting. He'd just let Elliott and Colby get on with it and was feeling a little guilty now that Robin's name was out there. He'd let the ball drop and now the best he could do to make up for it was to find the source of the leak and make sure it got plugged up and fast. Last thing either Don and Robin needed was the press following them home when she eventually left the hospital, not to mention the security risks of her name being out there. In the space of one unthoughtful moment Robin had gone from victim to target and Logan would make certain this time that 'the ball' wouldn't even so much as slip a little.
"Tell us in a moment," Nick shook his head resignedly as he opened the large solid door to the Bull Pen and held it open for everyone to pass through. "I get the feeling it's something we're all going to need to hear," He whispered to Logan as he followed through last, before joining Nick at the head of the room whilst Agent's Burnett and Denam took a seat at the end of the first row nearest to the door. "Thank you all for hanging around," Nick addressed the whole room as he took a seat on the table next to the large interactive whiteboard, letting his legs swing free. "There have been a few developments in the last twenty four hours and it's important we all get ourselves onto the same page and quick. Detective Hayes, as you called this meeting, perhaps you should start us off?"
"Of course," El nodded nervously making Logan smile as he remembered just how nervous the surly Detective got when it came to public speaking. "We're waiting for definite conformation, but last night it is believed that we unearthed the bomber's missing body in a cemetery some distance from the courthouse."
"I've got Doctors Gomez and Galeotti on standby ready to walk us through the preliminary autopsy," Matt Li cut in from his seat at the computer in the corner of the room. Usually over looked, he was very much the centre of attention now.
"Really?" Logan asked surprised as he too took his turn to scrutinise the young IT tech.
"I set up a video chat with them earlier today. They're at the morgue with the body now and are ready to present their findings. They would have come to us but this way they can keep on working once their done," Matt smiled as he pulled up the chat box on the interactive whiteboard and sure enough, there was Claudia with another lady…and a skeleton.
"Hey," Claudia smiled and gave a little wave as Dr Galeotti continued to bend over the skeleton, uninterested in the sudden arrival of a crowd of spectators.
"Hi Clau," El greeted warmly as he sat back down so that he wasn't blocking the screen. "Why don't you fill us in?"
"Upon examination of the body, and then the bones once they were cleaned, COD is consistent with being in an explosion," Claudia informed as she picked up the small webcam and pointed with the lens to several fractures on the bones. "Our victim was clearly very close to a bomb shortly before his demise. CSI Samantha Wilkes has taken samples from the victim to determine if it has the same chemical composition of the bomb at the courthouse."
"What else can you tell us about the man himself?" Logan interrupted as he chewed the end of the pen that he was taking notes from and drummed his fingers impatiently.
"The victim is a middle aged Caucasian male, approximately in his forties to fifties. His bones show several fractures and numerous sites of remodelling from a variety of injuries over the years, including broken bones and bullet and knife wounds. There are also other signs of general wear and tear, indicating the victim lead an active life," Dr Galeotti replied, smiling her superior little smile as she took the webcam off of Claudia to point to other general markings on the bones. "I've seen similar markings on bones of different service men and women over the years. Coupled with the knowledge needed to build a bomb as sophisticated as the courthouse bombing, I would summarise that your victim was in the military, most likely working with bombs on a daily basis. I would also surmise that based on the shattering of the ribs and rib cage, the victim was wearing the bomb around his chest."
"Like a waistcoat," Agent Denam cut in as he turned his head slightly to look at Logan. "It's why he was wearing the big coat in the CCTV image. He would have walked in with the thing under his jacket and nobody would have been any the wiser. The CCTV image also shows that the device in his hand is a phone, not a remote. Which means your bomb was actually triggered remotely form elsewhere. I would need to study the device to give you an approximate range."
"He's right; we found a melted electronic device in one of the bomber's hands. CSI Wilkes has taken that to be examined as well," Claudia nodded as the webcam was set back on its stand.
"That was Ian on the phone a minute ago," Logan spoke up from his perch by Matt and looked uncomfortably over at El. Logan and El hadn't been on the best of terms since Ian had admitted to El that Logan had tried to draft him secretly. But even El couldn't dispute that there was a weird connection between Ian and Robin at the moment and if anyone could get through to Robin it was Ian and it seemed Logan's hunch that she was holding back had been proved right. "Robin remembered more from before the blast. She ID'd the man in the photograph as definitely being the bomber but couldn't give enough details for a sketch artist. She did confirm, however, that it was a mobile phone and that the man never answered it. The explosion happened before the guy could answer the call and according to Robin 'the man didn't look like he wanted to hurt anyone.'"
"Makes sense," Marc nodded at the temporary SAIC as a woman cleared her throat from the back of the room.
"Apologies for interrupting," The woman cut in sharply as she flicked her long brown hair over her shoulder and squared her eyes firmly on Agent Denam. "But what about that exactly make sense?"
"Let me guess," Agent Denam smiled dryly at the woman, "You're the profiler?"
"Agent Juliet Cooper, yes," She smiled icily at the big agent as he just shook his head and grinned. "What is so funny about that?"
"Nothing ma'am," Marc replied as he shrugged and leaned back in his chair.
"Well clearly you find something amusing," Juliet pushed as she crossed her arms and legs and frowned at Marc whilst the others looked on curiously.
"Well yeah," The old agent grinned again. "You're profile is freaking hilarious."
"Which part?" She forced back through gritted teeth.
"Well obviously the bomber wasn't working alone, the mobile proves he had outside help or he was a patsy," Agent Denam replied as he borrowed El's blue folder and flicked to the page where Agent Cooper's profile had been added next to the PD profiler's. "Based on experience, I would say that it is likely that our military bomb expert was drafted unwillingly, probably by threatening his family. The bomb maker therefore must have the above average intelligence, but the actual bomber must be lacking in the intelligence department or he could have made his own bomb. You also stated that the bomber was socially inept. It's more likely that he's charismatic and a leader of a fringe anti-government militia. I agree to the pride and cocky son of a bitch part but I would also like to add dangerous sociopath."
"And besides your 'experience' what evidence do you have to prove all of that conjecture?" Agent Cooper snapped angrily as Nick looked about ready to jump in and put a stop to the argument.
"I would also like to know," Logan added with a quick look to Nick, "What makes you think we're dealing with a fringe Militia and a second bomber."
"Ok, firstly. The mobile phone proves the presence a second man, the person who actually detonated the bomb. Your eye witness's testimony that he 'didn't want to hurt anyone' tells me that he was forced to wear a bomb and walk into the courthouse. The autopsy report tells me that he created the bomb and the other person was most likely cleaning up a loose end." Marc told Logan, ignoring the grumbling profiler.
"Can we trust Robin's testimony though?" Colby asked uncertainly, though not in a nasty way. "She did only just remember this…"
"I believe her," Marc nodded firmly as he flicked in the binder to CSI Knoll's report on the components of the bomb. "This was a big bomb and has all the components of one and true, the destruction was bad but there was enough C4 in this explosion to level the whole courthouse but it didn't. That says to me that the man who made the bomb had enough intelligence and expertise to make a bomb look flashy but contain little bang. He also localised the bomb to the lobby and rigged it to lower the blast radios. It's unfortunate that so many died really because he did quite a remarkable job of containing the bomb."
"You're saying that the plan was to level the entire courthouse?" Nick frowned unhappily as Logan gesture for Marc to continue as everyone stared at the grim looking agent who also appeared to be enjoying himself a little too much.
"Yes. If I'd seen the bomb that's what I would have expected, but upon closer examination, to someone who actually knows bombs, this was nothing but a flashy toy."
"A flashy toy!" Juliet scoffed angrily. "There were twenty fatalities and over sixty injured!"
"It's a bomb," Marc frowned at Juliet as he gave his leg an unconscious rub, "Flashy toy or not, someone usually gets hurt."
"Tell us about your thoughts on the Militia angle," Nick interjected impatiently, silencing Juliet with a dirty look.
"The previous bombings," Marc smiled at the AD as he flipped in the binder once more, Logan was impressed by how well he knew the folder and its contents considering El told Logan he had only given it to the ATF agent earlier in the night. "They were considered to be tests for the courthouse bombings but I believe them to be proof of a series of escalations. I also believe them to be made by a separate bomber."
"What makes you say that?" El asked curiously as he peered over the large agent's shoulder to see his report on the previous bombings.
"The bombs contain similar components but are very ineffective. They definitely weren't made by the same man as the Courthouse bombing," Marc informed them all as Matt Li flicked up images of the previous bombings on screens either side of the interactive whiteboard, which was still linked to the morgue. "In fact I would stretch so far as to say that the man who made the first bombs realised that he needed someone better to pull off the courthouse bombing and forced the second bomber to help."
"But the larger group angle?" Colby prodded impatiently but regretted it when the agent turned his intense gaze on Colby instead of Nick and Logan.
"Demario Perez," Marc explained as Matt flicked up an artist sketch as there were no known photographs of the runaway caretaker. "Search of the ATF database revealed that Mr Perez is here illegally and was once a member of the Columbian military police, suspected but never caught for gun running. Oh yeah, and his truck has been given many parking tickets on several occasions outside of a bar that is frequented by several members of a known LA militia. Their compound is just out of town and the ATF have them on their watch list as a right wing anti-governmental sect that shows signs of potential escalation. LAPD set up road blocks after the BOLO went out and caught Perez on his way out of town in the early hours of this morning. I suspect he went to the bar first, and then attempted to head to the compound. He's being transferred here as we speak."
"Way to bury the lead!" Colby grinned excitedly, Logan knew how he felt, he'd assumed that Perez was holed up somewhere, neither had expected the fugitive to be stupid enough to try and leave town, especially on a night they'd be obviously looking for him.
"There is something else…and you're not going to like it," Marc frowned as he flicked a look at Juliet who was properly sulking in the back. "I've seen this sort of thing before. That courthouse was supposed to come down…but it didn't. That's not the statement the leader was probably going for which means he's likely to escalate again. He's going to need a new expert and he's going to need a new target."
"He's going to do it again," Claudia stated breathlessly across the link, voicing everyone's fears.
"I fear that the situation is worse than that," Marc grimaced as he used his cane to help him stand and hobbled over to Matt Li and asked to take a seat at the computer. "I've heard some chatter that Lieutenant Colonel Atwater is missing and is suspected of stealing several high grade explosives." Typing fast, Marc did a quick search for the LTC and loaded several reports on the man's work with explosives in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as one report upon his return to America, all heavily redacted.
"They've practically black lined all but his name!" Nikki grumbled as Agent Denam enlarged the photo of LTC Atwater.
"Even his service record is redacted," Marc nodded as he leaned back in the squeaky computer chair and crossed his muscled arms angrily.
"Ian might know something…or be able to dig further?" Colby suggested as he threw a slanted look at El.
"Col is right," Logan jumped in before El could protest as he gave El his own hard look. "We need Ian to look into it."
"I agree," El nodded, surprising them all. "There's another bomb…we need Ian's help. Someone also needs to tell Don and Robin."
"Chris and Oliver," Logan gestured as he stood and moved to the front of the room. "I want you two to take the first protective detail. With her name leaked we have to assume she's a target until she's not. Marc, I want you to go see Samantha Wilkes at the CSI offices. Look into that remote radius you were talking about. See if we can't find some footage of our bomber. Colby and El, I want you to talk to Ian and then look into putting surveillance on the bar and the compound. Liz and Nikki, I want you start identifying potential targets and Claudia and Dr Galeotti, we need that ID ASAP. Agent Cooper, you can go home, you're dismissed. In fact you're all dismissed, so get to it."
"Sir?"
"I'm Agent Pierce, but you can call me Logan," Logan smiled at Marc as he used the cane to lever himself upright and hobbled over to where Logan was still standing, slightly dazed by it all. He'd really been hoping that the reveal of the bomber's body was a clerical error at the morgues office and that the bombings were finally over…
"Marc," Agent Denam smiled a wolfish grin that really reminded Logan of Ian.
"It's a pleasure to have you assisting. That was some impressive work just now. You must be a formidable ATF agent."
"I was," Marc nodded sadly as he rubbed subconsciously at his leg again.
"What can I do for you Marc?" Logan asked wearily as the others began to slowly file out.
"I'd like to be the one to tell Ms Brooks and SAIC Eppes."
"Why?" Logan asked surprised as Marc pulled up the sleeve of his right arm to reveal a bad burn scar that snaked its way from his hand, up his arm and probably continued past the point that he could roll the sleeve up.
"I think I have a unique perspective into how Ms Brooks is feeling right now," Marc replied quietly as Chris and Ollie looked over with interest.
"Yes, I believe you probably do…very well," Logan sighed as he backed subconsciously away from the intimidating agent. "Chris and Oliver will give you a ride to the hospital and then I need you to look into the mobile."
"Of course sir," Marc nodded as he pulled his sleeve back down before rounding on the two rookies and Logan almost laughed at the resigned look that past behind the agents eyes. Almost. The threat of the new bombing was a game changer, so much so that Logan questioned if he even knew what game he was playing anymore. All he knew was that being in charge was over rated and that the second Don was back, the happier Logan Pierce would be and a year ago he'd never thought he'd be saying that!