As usual, what I planned to be the last chapter is… not. When I hit 5000+ words, I knew it was time to think about breaking it up. There will be one more chapter after this one; likely a short one with a couple of scenes just to tie up all the loose ends. And hopefully NOT an almost four month wait. Sorry for that.
Thanks, as always, to SairsJ for giving this the once over. I hope you all enjoy it.
But then Brennan's gaze snapped back up to them in a steeled resolve. "Like you said, someone needs to be held accountable." His eyes locked on Andy's. "I don't care who they are."
Before anyone could blink, a single shot pierced the air… followed by three more in quick succession.
Andy's eyelids started to flutter, struggling to open even with the small amount of light shining in the room. When her eyes finally started to focus she found a pair of dark brown ones staring right back at her, the relief in them was almost overwhelming.
He didn't say a word; he wasn't even sure he was capable at the moment. He just watched and waited.
She thought back to the last thing she remembered. She could have sworn Brennan shot first. Didn't he?
She tried to pull herself up but the pain that shot through her upper body made it almost impossible. Sam's hands darted out to her upper arms, halting any further movement. Instead he guided her gently back down to rest her head against what appeared to be his uniform shirt folded into a makeshift pillow.
"H…" Her whole body tensed, even talking seemed to hurt.
"Just relax, McNally," he ordered in his best TO voice, "we got another bus on the way."
She couldn't stop trying though; she needed to know. Her voice was weak but she finally got it out. "He shot first, right?"
She heard a noise of frustration break through as he started to nod.
She's lying on the ground and all she's worried about was the shoot. "Yes, McNally," he confirmed, the exasperation now leached into his words. "He shot first." Which is why he's now got three… And even if he hadn't shot first, he and Oliver would be swearing up and down to SIU that he had. Brennan was really lucky he didn't kill him on the spot.
When he broke out of his thoughts, he could see that she was trying to appraise him with her eyes. "I wasn't hit," he stated trying to save her the trouble of having to move for a better look.
She nodded keeping her actions slow this time, finally getting that any abrupt movement was not a good idea. "Oliver?"
She rolled her head to the side when she heard the man in question reply for himself somewhere to her left. "Fit as a fiddle, McNally." She watched as he pulled a pair of purple gloves from his hands and couldn't help but wonder if Brennan's was the only blood tainting them.
Andy smiled as she closed her eyes for just a second. "McNally," Sam scolded, but she could tell it was more from worry than anger.
She opened one eye up to shoot a glare his way. "I'm fine, Sam, just resting for a second."
Sam didn't like her eyes closed, but he decided to concede this one… but just for a second or two.
Andy replayed the last few moments of her memory. Even though tools were Brennan's weapon of choice, she would have bet money on him being a decent shot. So was she… did he… she wasn't that far away… With her eyes still closed, she lifted the hand on the side that didn't hurt so much and pulled it across her body as she sought out the location of the bullet.
"McNally," Sam warned the irritation even more present in his voice.
She halted her movements and blew out a breath of frustration. "Where did it hit?"
The air escaped Sam's lungs long and slow, but for a very different reason. She opened her eyes and watched as he first looked to the ceiling before his rested back on her and he answered, "collarbone, left side… maybe an inch or two into the edge of the vest."
Her vision glazed over as the location registered in her head. Either she was very lucky or he… She might never know. "Is Brennan…"
"He's alive," Sam confirmed, "a little, well a lot worse for wear but alive. After he…" Sam had to take an extra second and make a concerted effort to breathe. "We each got a shot in. They put him on the first bus, but you shouldn't be…"
She started to speak again and he just shook his head; telling her not to worry about others was a waste of breath.
"Boyd?"
That seemed to lighten Sam's mood a little. "You mean before or after he passed out?"
She could see he was enjoying the idea of that and was happy to see something other than worry in his eyes. "Both."
"Well, I'm pretty sure he collapsed after the first shot, even before Brennan went down with him. But on his way to the ambulance, he was already coming to and Oliver was getting an earful about how we could have hit him when we shot at Jamie."
Andy's chuckle was stopped short by the pain emanating through her body and Sam's darkened mood returned with it. "Just lie still McNally; we got another bus coming for you."
He should have known better than to remind her of that as she immediately started trying to pull herself up. "I'm fine."
"No, you're…"
"I'm fine," she insisted tensing her body to try and temper the pain.
"Give me your arm, then," Sam insisted, "if you can pull yourself up, I won't put you in the bus." Oliver's eyes widened marginally before a ghost of a grin appeared on his face. He exchanged a look with Sam and they both knew she was headed straight to the hospital; the only difference might be the way she got there.
Sam stretched out his arm to help her up; purposely reaching for the side where the bullet hit.
Andy raised the opposite arm and it was mirrored by Sam's eyebrow. She tilted her head in challenge, daring him to refute that she did it.
He didn't bite.
"Better give me them both," he instructed holding out his other hand.
He chose to ignore the chuckle coming from Oliver and kept his eyes locked on her face. He watched as she struggled to lift her other arm; he could see the tears at the edge of her eyes and the pain that was radiating through them but she was not going to give up.
"Andy," Sam cautioned. He really didn't want her to hurt herself. She had to admit… he shook his head. This was McNally; he knew how stubborn she was.
Thankfully, Oliver decided to make himself useful. He moved up behind her and braced her arm so it wouldn't move. Between the three of them, they had her up on her feet just as they heard the sirens. "Sorry, McNally, Sarge's orders," he declared.
Her head snapped over to him without thinking and they all cringed as the question came out in a gasp of pain. "Who…"
"He called Noelle as she was getting in with Brennan…" Of course, Oliver had no idea what was said, but he figured Frank would be the better target for Andy's wrath; she wouldn't make his life more difficult… well not on purpose anyway.
Andy grumbled the entire way out of the house as Sam braced her arm. His eyes never left her face so he could manage his movements to make sure she wasn't in too much pain.
Oliver alternated his gaze between the two of them, chuckling to himself the entire way. As if watching them fight it this whole time wasn't fun enough already, he had a feeling McSwarek together was going to be that much more enjoyable.
They exited the house just as the EMT's were pulling the gurney up next to it. They saw the way Sam was holding Andy and glared at him. "You should have waited…"
"I don't need that!" Andy scoffed flipping her nose up at the rolling contraption.
Sam looked at the EMT and lifted his arms away from Andy in concession. "Give it your best shot."
"Ma'am, we need you to…" the younger one tried.
"Let's get this over with," Andy grumbled and he looked at Sam in triumph.
Sam simply watched and waited, and she didn't disappoint. She waltzed right past the gurney and towards the ambulance. He looked back at the medics. "Don't think we didn't try," he stated before he broke into a light jog and fell into step beside Andy. He helped her up into the ambulance just as the attendants reached the back.
He started to lift himself up in behind her and she furrowed her brow. "Sam, I'm fine; you and Oliver should probably…"
The smile was still firmly planted on Oliver's face. He was not leaving until the show was over.
"I don't think so, McNally," Sam disputed, "someone has to go along and make sure you don't sweet talk the medic into dropping you off at home."
The younger one, who was obviously much newer, responded anxiously, "Oh no, Sir; once we get the call and have her in here, we have to…"
Sam looked at him in disbelief. "I know, but for your own safety…"
Oliver snickered at Andy's indignant glare and the ensuing smirk on Sam's face.
"I am not that bad," she argued.
Sam started to chuckle. "No, you're not that bad, but your arm is and someone has to make sure you let them do what they need to do. And like it or not, that someone is me."
"Fine," Andy muttered under her breath.
"Besides, we need to head to the hospital anyway and check in with everyone, coordinate the debrief…"
Oliver spoke up then. "It sounds like Jerry's going to meet us there to start taking statements. Hopefully bring some relief to watch Brennan and Boyd so the rest of us can go home."
Andy turned her glare on him and he tried to look chagrined; he really hadn't meant to rub it in that he could come and go as he pleased.
"We need to get moving," the medic encouraged, thankfully saving Oliver.
"Right, right," Oliver agreed quickly. "I guess I'll meet you two there then." He looked at Andy. "Behave," he ordered, "let him take care of you."
The look in his eye told her he was not talking about the young medic and a small smile graced her lips as the color in her cheeks darkened.
"And you," he shifted his gaze to Sam, "be nice."
"Yeah, yeah," Sam relented before looking at the EMT. "Let's go."
On the way to the hospital, Andy's shoulder was immobilized and they gave her something for the pain. The medication took effect quickly and Andy wasn't the only one it relaxed. Sam's demeanor calmed in direct proportion to her comfort level, and by the time they got to their destination, they were both chatting amicably with the attendant.
They were whisked into a room almost immediately, but were told that x-ray was backed up. They would come to get her as soon as they could.
They had been sitting in her room resting with their eyes closed. They hadn't seen anything of anyone yet but assumed that Oliver was checking in with everyone else knowing that Sam would be staying with Andy.
Sam jolted awake when he heard the door open.
"Sorry, brother," Oliver offered propping the door open with his foot.
Sam waved him off but looked to the bed to see if he woke Andy too. He turned back to Oliver in confusion; the bed was empty.
"They took her up to x-ray a few minutes ago; I just passed them in the hallway."
Sam jumped up intent on going with.
Oliver held up his hand. "Relax, brother," you won't be allowed back. I already offered to go with; they told me no before McNally could even get a word in. When I told her I was surprised you let her out of your sight," he paused, grinning at the glare he knew would be coming, "she told me you were sleeping and not to wake you up. Looks like she's not the only one being taken care of…"
Sam tilted his head to the side and stared at Oliver from under his lashes, silently asking him if he was done.
He was. "Listen, I've already given my statement to Jerry so I'm gonna head home for the night."
Sam looked at his watch; they had already been there over an hour.
"Zoe and the girls…"
"No, no, of course," Sam interrupted, "it's all good. We'll be fine."
Andy came rolling up behind Oliver. "Of course, we'll be fine. You need to go Oliver; see you tomorrow…well later today."
Oliver chuckled as he stepped aside to first let her through and then the nurse back out. "McNally, I'm not expecting to see you for at least a week. Well, unless of course you're coming to the Penny to buy me a drink."
"Buy you a drink?"
He looked at her like the answer should be obvious. "To express your undying gratitude for my assistance today."
"Of course," she conceded chuckling. "We couldn't have done it without you."
Oliver grinned and gave her a quick wink before leaning down next to her ear, his faux whisper more than loud enough for Sam to hear. "Let him take care of you."
Sam rolled his eyes while Andy's cheeks flooded with color. "I don't need…" she tried to contend. But he was already halfway out the door and didn't turn back; he just gave her a wave over his shoulder. "You heard me!"
Andy's focus stayed locked on her hands; she could still feel the warmth in her cheeks. She really didn't know what to say but the silence was starting to get uncomfortable, and she never really did do well with silence. She didn't want to ask Sam to help her. She could manage if she had to; she always did. And maybe he had other plans or didn't really want to...
Sam cleared his throat and pulled up his chair beside her, the quiet was getting to him too. "Did you get any sleep? I mean earlier."
"A little," she grinned, "not as much as you though, but some."
Sam shook his head. This Girl. "Well, you might as well try and get some more; who knows how long we're going to be here."
"I'd rather wait," Andy contested. "They said they'd rush the x-rays through and I'd really rather go home and sleep in my own bed."
Sam tried to hide the disappointment. He really did want to take care of her and he was hoping for more of a 'we' in her plans for tonight and for, well, ever. He meant it when he said, 'no going back'.
Either Andy picked up on his thoughts or she had already been thinking along the same lines. Her voice was so quiet and unsure that Sam was leaning toward the latter. "And you know, Oliver said that you should take care of me so you should probably… I mean if you want… I wouldn't mind…"
She left the idea hanging but Sam couldn't bear the thought of doing the same to her. He picked up her hand and started to rub soothing circles on it. His voice was just as quiet and he struggled to keep the nervousness out, but he needed her to know that he did… want. "I'll have to go get the truck…"
"I can help you with that," Jerry interrupted.
Sam straightened up in his seat and tried to pull his hand away, but Andy held on tight. He looked in her eyes as if to say 'are you sure'; her soft smile was answer enough and he leaned back in.
They looked over to Jerry as he shifted his gaze between them; the air was thick with tension, not a bad kind, more an anxious excitement. His eye was drawn down to their intertwined hands, Sam's thumb gliding tenderly across the back of Andy's. There was definitely something more than just a ride on the line here. He had work to do though. "We got all the other statements we could. So it's down to you two and Brennan, and he's still in recovery. I got unis on all the doors."
Andy furrowed her brow and tried to shift her body to see outside her room; she didn't need protection. Jerry chuckled. "No, I got them on Brennan and on Boyd. Traci, Diaz, Epstein, Peck and Noelle have all headed back." He looked around. "I thought Ollie was coming back here."
"He did; just left."
"Alrighty then," Jerry acknowledged. "So, how do you wanna do this? Sammy, we can head back and do it at the station if you want to get your truck…"
"Do you want to take Andy's first?"
Jerry was wriggling uncomfortably, shifting from foot to foot. "Well, I… can, um…" he finished the sentence quickly and quietly. So much so that Sam and Andy couldn't even really hear him. They were pretty sure he said he had someone here to help with Andy's statement, but…
"What?"
"There were a lot of people to coordinate, and we've been sort of working together, so we both came. I could get yours when I take you back and he can stay here and take McNally's"
A grimace took over Sam's face and his ministrations stalled; something wasn't quite right if Jerry was… "Who did you say was going to take McNally's statement?"
Andy watched anxiously wondering the same thing. Why was Jerry so…oh!
"I said Callaghan alright? He's been here taking statements too."
Sam's whole body tensed and he looked over at Andy when he felt her grip tighten on his.
"But, I mean, no one was killed, right?" She looked anxiously over at Sam. "You said he was just worse for wear right? We don't need homicide."
Sam squeezed Andy's hand in what he hoped was reassurance and began to stroke the back of it again. "I haven't heard any different," he explained soothingly. He looked up at Jerry for confirmation.
"What?" Jerry was off in his own thoughts. "No, Brennan's fine; but Best had everyone on the case right? Cop missing; all hands on deck. Boyd's guys are too close so…"
Jerry briefly wondered if they weren't all a little too close, but with no death, that likely wouldn't be questioned. He would just have to ensure they remained impartial, which was the department's biggest worry about Boyd's people. Everything would be scrutinized with the cover up and they couldn't afford for any bias.
Sam turned back to Andy. He could see the apprehension in her eyes but when she looked over to him, she tried to hide it. "It's fine, Sam." She would have to face him sooner or later.
But Sam's preference was obviously for later. "You stay here with McNally. I'll get a ride with Callaghan, give my statement, and come back with the truck."
Although he was talking to Jerry, his eyes never left Andy as he spoke. When she gave him a small nod, he returned it before looking back at Jerry with a determined expression.
Jerry nodded; it was not up for discussion. And he would always back up his friend anyway so he agreed readily.
Jerry pulled out his phone to let Luke know, when the same man strolled through the door. "Oh good, you're here. Take Sammy back to the station and get his statement. Tomorrow we can review them all."
Luke's mouth dropped open and it took him a second to decide what he wanted to say. "I thought… uh, I don't really need to be anywhere and I have my car here so I can take Andy's…"
"Already decided, Callaghan. Let's go," Sam ordered leaving no room for argument, though he still had to practically push Luke towards the door. The detective's eyes were glued on Andy almost willing her to let him talk to her. Sam watched as she steadfastly avoided his stare.
"Andy…" he tried again.
She finally let her gaze land on him. "Not now, Luke."
He was muttering under his breath as he finally allowed Sam to urge him out. But he jerked himself away as soon as they cleared the room. "This should be good," he grumbled sarcastically.
The ride back to the station was uncomfortably quiet, with neither man willing to put in the effort to ease the strain. Luke was seething and Sam didn't care if it was pleasant; he just wanted to get it over with.
They pulled up to the barn and Sam jumped out. "I'm going to get changed and then…"
Luke couldn't believe his nerve; he wasn't the one running the show here and Luke was going to make sure he knew it. "I'd prefer to get straight at it actually."
"You said you didn't have anywhere to go remember. And I'd prefer to be more comfortable so I'll be grabbing a coffee too."
He knew Sam, and he wasn't going to win this. "Interview one."
Sam furrowed his brow. He thought they would just do it in his office. No one else had been recorded. "What's wrong with your office?"
"Just trying to do this by the book." The implication of Sam's disregard for the rules hung thickly between them.
"I'll be there in ten," he informed, glaring at Luke and daring him to rush him.
Luke flipped on his heel and headed for the coffee. Sam smirked and turned for the locker room. He changed quickly and grabbed his go bag and keys. After a quick stop at the coffee station, he made his way to interview.
The door opened loudly and Callaghan looked up; his eyes widened when Sam dropped his bag and keys on the floor.
"What? I'm heading straight out as soon as we're done here so…"
"I didn't ask," Luke responded aiming for an air of nonchalance that he didn't quite hit.
Sam just huffed out a breath and moved to the other side of the table. He hadn't even sat down before Luke hit the button on the recorder and started the standard protocol of reciting names, case information, etc.
Sam resisted the eye roll, but he really had no idea why the detective felt the need to put on the show.
"Okay Officer Swarek…"
This time Sam couldn't resist and his eyes shot to the ceiling . "Is that really necessary?" he asked nodding at the equipment.
"I think so."
Sam let out a long, loud breath and conceded himself to the fact that this was going to be a long, drawn out process.
"So this all started when you ran into Officer McNally about a week ago. How did that happen?"
Sam pulled his chin back and looked at him like he'd lost it.
"Officer Swarek, we need to know the whole story. What happened when Officers Nash and McNally went on the scavenger hunt?"
"First of all, Detective Callaghan, I've already given my statement about that night to Detective Barber. That incident has already been documented. All you need is my statement about how we found Boyd and what happened at Brennan's wife's cabin."
Luke pulled out his phone. "I'll just…"
Sam stood up abruptly and shut off the recording. "If you call this by the book…"
"Are you kidding me Sammy?" Luke retorted.
Sam grimaced at the nickname; there were only a select few that got away with using it and Callaghan wasn't one of them. He bit his tongue… hard.
"You're one to lecture me about the rules," Luke practically spat. "You bend them whenever you want, but you know what? This time you've gone too far. And normally I wouldn't give a damn, but this time you're dragging Andy down with you."
Sam shook his head; he had no idea where this was going. "What are you talking about?"
"Sleeping with another officer while you're UC," Luke replied smugly.
Ah! Sam just stared blankly back.
"You may only get a slap on the wrist. 'Good ole Swarek gets away with another one'. But she's just starting; you have no idea what this will do to her career."
Sam was shaking his head again but this time in disagreement. He already planned on taking full responsibility if it ever came out, but no one knew for sure and he knew Jerry wouldn't push it.
"Don't deny it; I'm the one that took Boyd's statement."
Sam shrugged his shoulders in dismissal; he had no doubt that Boyd gave Luke an earful, anything to throw some blame on someone else, but he wasn't giving anything away.
"I know you turned the cameras off," Luke continued.
Sam scoffed. "I'm not denying McNally came over; she reported that to Jerry right after it happened. And I'm sure it will be in her statement this time too. But what did you want us to do? We couldn't very well have Boyd hear us discussing it."
A sarcastic laugh escaped Luke's lips. "I'm not an idiot. You and I both know…"
His words were stopped short when Sam stalked around the table and stood directly in front of him. "Think what you want Callaghan, but you don't know anything."
"I guess we'll see what shakes out when they process your apartment," he threatened.
Sam simply laughed. "It all happened outside Callaghan. Yeah Brennan stopped by, but we talked, he left and that's it. There's no processing to be done inside." He could see the wheels turning in Luke's head and decided he would be making a call back to Jerry though, just in case, in fact… "You know what?" He started nodding, assured of his decision. "I think I'll just give my statement to Jerry after he talks to Andy." With that, he walked right past Luke and picked up his bag and keys. "I'll be seeing you detective."
And he walked out.
Sam had just cleared the emergency room doors when he saw Jerry striding towards him. "That didn't take long."
"Yeah, about that," Sam began sheepishly.
Jerry's eyebrows raised a touch, and he hoped Sam hadn't dug himself a hole he couldn't get out of. "You didn't…"
Sam looked at his friend and started to smirk. Jerry's eyes widened.
"Relax; all I did was walk out on him."
"What happened?" Jerry inquired, really not surprised that it didn't go well.
"He started by asking about Andy coming over that night after the Alpine."
Jerry's eyebrows furrowed. "I already have that information."
"That's what I told him, but he didn't seem to be in too big of a hurry to talk about what went down at the farmhouse."
Jerry was nodding. "Yeah, he asked me earlier why Andy had been at your apartment."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing really, I told him she was probably there to let you know what we found out and that if he wanted any more, he'd have to ask her."
Sam rubbed at the back of his neck. "About that, he was talking about processing inside the apartment."
"Why would we need to do that? The altercation happened outside, and really there isn't even much out there. Tire marks, maybe, but that's about it. Footprints in the alley where the accomplice waited."
"Exactly. I wouldn't put it past him to press for it though. He's digging for dirt."
"Is he going to find any?"
Sam knew what he was asking and he didn't want to put Jerry in between, but he was going to need his help to protect Andy. "I didn't exactly make the bed this morning," Sam admitted.
Jerry nodded; Sam hadn't said it in so many words but the eyes told him all he needed to know. And since it had no bearing on the case, Jerry was going to do whatever he could to keep that part out of it. He knew they'd be going through everything with a fine tooth comb, but as long as they stuck to the facts about Brennan's appearance, they should be okay. "I've already spoken to Superintendent Peck and she's asked me to coordinate everything. The crime scene unit was already on site this morning right after it happened and they've moved on to the farmhouse; I see no need for them to go back."
Sam clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Thanks, buddy." He then motioned in the direction of Andy's room. "You done with McNally then?"
"Yeah, I got it all. Guess we need to talk though." He tilted his head in the opposite direction. "You wanna go get a coffee so we can get this over with."
Sam nodded but his first move was to head the other way. "I'll just let Andy know…"
Jerry reached his hand out to stop him. "She's not there; they took her…"
"Did something happen?" Sam's eyes started darting around in panic.
Jerry just laughed. "Relax, buddy, they just took her to fit her for a brace."
"Brace?"
"Hairline fracture in her collarbone."
Sam frowned; she would not be happy. "How long?"
"I think they said it would take about fifteen minutes to a half hour depending on how backed up they were."
"No, how long will she be laid up?"
"They asked me to step out," Jerry explained, "but I think I heard something about six weeks."
That was going to be tough on her. He would hate to be idle for that long and knowing Andy, he knew she would feel the same.
"You probably want to get home so yeah let's get this done."
"I don't think it will take long. I already talked to both Andy and Oliver so yours should be pretty much the same. What McNally couldn't tell me, Oliver did. Plus I still have to stop by and see if Brennan is in any shape to talk tonight."
Sam shook off the reminder of those few minutes she had lost consciousness; he didn't want to think about it. She had fallen back and at first he worried that the shot had missed the vest, but when he didn't find any blood, he figured she must have hit her head. Wait. "Did they say anything about a concussion?"
Jerry thought back. "Not that I know of."
Sam was nodding but mostly to himself; he was going to have to ask the doctor personally as he was pretty sure that Andy probably wouldn't mention it.
Jerry and Sam sat down in the cafeteria and it didn't take long at all. Once they were done, Jerry headed up to Brennan's room and Sam made his way back to Andy's.
When he got there, someone was just making up the bed and Andy was nowhere to be found. Sam took a step back and looked at the room number; he was in the right place. "The woman that was in here," he started.
Just then, the doctor emerged from the next room. "Are you looking for Officer McNally?"
"Yes."
"And you are…"
"I'm her partner; I came in the ambulance with her."
The nurse next to the doctor nodded in confirmation.
"She was fitted for the brace and they were just doing up her discharge papers when I left."
Sam looked at his phone; she hadn't texted him and he was supposed to take her home. He said he was getting the truck; she had to know… "Did someone pick her up?"
"Oh no," the nurse responded. "The other gentleman that came in… with the other police officer… he was asking for her."
Sam furrowed his brow. He didn't like the idea of Boyd taking a run at her, especially if she was alone. "So that's where she went?"
"Yes, you just missed her actually; one of the orderlies wheeled her up there."
Sam couldn't help the small smile; he bet she just loved that. "Thank you."
Jerry had let him know earlier what room Boyd was in and he headed straight there. He nodded to the officer outside the door in greeting and motioned to the door in question. The officer waved his hand in consent, having recognized Sam immediately.
He pushed open the door quietly not knowing what he was walking into; he took the fact that he didn't hear yelling as a good sign. His brows furrowed even further when he noticed that Andy was nowhere in the room and Boyd appeared to be asleep.
He was just about to slip out of the room when he heard a scratchy voice call his name. "Sammy?"
Damn it! He turned back around; if he hadn't been looking for Andy, he would not have been here. He had nothing to say to Boyd.
"Yuh," he replied shortly.
Boyd tried to clear the sleep from his voice, but his throat was still dry and rough from the waterboarding and subsequent coughing. He pointed to the pitcher of water. "Do you mind?"
Yes. Sam grabbed the pitcher and poured it into the cup. He handed it to Boyd without ceremony; he watched him struggle with the straw but he wasn't about to play nursemaid.
"Thanks," Boyd offered a little more clearly.
Sam stared back at him for a second before shaking his head and spinning on his heel. "I gotta go."
"Come on, Sammy."
"No," Sam turned around and shot daggers at Boyd. "Don't 'come on Sammy' me; you could have gotten me killed. And you could have gotten Andy killed…"
Boyd shook his head; of course it came back to McNally. He huffed out a hostile chuckle. "Look, you and that rookie…"
Sam took a few menacing steps closer. "Her name is Officer McNally, and two years on the job she's already ten times the cop you'll ever be."
Sam looked Boyd dead in the eye. "You're done."
And then he turned and walked out.
The officer on the door looked surprised to see Sam out so quickly.
"Have you seen McNally?" He asked, too angry to have asked Boyd.
The officer shook his head. "No she hasn't been here at all; I heard she was getting looked at."
Sam nodded. "She was, but they said that the other…' Shit! Boyd wasn't the only 'gentleman' they brought in. "Do you know what room Brennan is in?"
The answer was barely out of the officer's mouth before Sam was running to the stairs; there was no way he was waiting for the elevator.