Finally, the next chapter-, sorry for the delay.

Thanks for sticking with the story and the great reviews!

A huge thanks you to starfishyeti!

The stalker part2

by elessar73

*** 11. chapter : Next steps ***

A bright sun shone down from a cloudless, blue sky. Against Don's assumption the air outside was hot, but not damp. A soft breeze fluttered through the air and gave his sweaty skin a cool touch, though it was sudorweld after all.

Don stood with his back leaning against a post off to the side of the main entrance. He had his cell phone clutched in his right hand, hitting it lightly against his thigh. The man's dark eyes were focused on a spot in the far distance. He seemed to be lost in thoughts.

Alan stepped outside the building catching a sight of his son at once. He wondered what interesting thing Don was seeing. Taking a closer look Alan noticed the lost expression on his older son's face he felt an uneasy feeling building up inside of him.

'Must be the weather,' he tried to fool himself, unwilling to admit, that he also was, at least, a little worried about his younger son.

The sun stood high up in the sky. Alan squeezed his eyes against the bright light and reached for his sunglasses. Living in L.A. he was used to high temperatures and bright sunlight, but the light here seemed to be much brighter than at home. It pricked his eyes and even the sunglasses couldn't stop that feeling completely.

Sweat started to pour out of every pore and soon Alan's shirt was soaking wet.

Alan approached his son and realized with a satisfied grin, that Don's shirt looked just the same. 'So it's not a matter of age,' he thought to himself.

"Hey Don, everything all right with Charlie?" he questioned his son.

Don rubbed fingers across his weary eyes, before he followed his father's example and put on his sunglasses. "The sun really burns," he stated absent-mindedly.

"We're in Hawaii. What did you expect?"

"Yeah,", Don nodded, a grin on his face.

"So what did Charlie say?"

"Nothing, he's in class."

Alan raised an eyebrow. "And that's what your clairvoyant-skills tell you?"

"No, not at all, dad," Don's grin deepened. "When he didn't answer his cell, I called his office and one of his TAs told me."

"So Charlie's okay. What are you worrying about?"

Don laid a supporting arm around his father's shoulder. "Your abilities are a little scary dad." Don smiled genuinely and for a moment his features relaxed. "I called Colby."

"Donnie, we're on holiday." Alan looked sternly at his son. "Your team can surely work for a few days without you."

"Yeah, dad, I know," Don explained feeling like a little boy again. "You know me. However, I just got hold of Megan. They have a homicide and Megan was a little reluctant to talk to me about it. I was just wondering what's going on."

Alan saw the sweat run down Don's face. His older son looked so lost. He felt a stab of concern in his chest; his older son needed to have everything under control, but right now, he had no influence on things happening at home. Alan decided, that he was the one in charge. "Well, I guess we'd better head to the hotel, before we melt away." He made his choice.

"Guess you're right, dad," Don sighed and left it up to his fate.

He threw his bag across his shoulder and with his father following right behind he approached the taxi stand.

::::::::::

Once Colby Granger had left the city-limits behind him and with it the usual L.A. traffic horror he settled in for a relaxed and quiet ride through the Napa Valley. He found a radio station playing hits from the 90's and whenever the agent recognized a song he had liked in his younger days, he dialed up the volume and sang along. A slight smile showed up on his face, being happy nobody was listening-, this would have been embarrassing. The first chords of 'Knocking on heaven's door' sounded through the car when Colby heard the familiar peep-sound of his cell, pronouncing low battery.

"Damn," Colby hissed through his teeth, dragging the device out of his pocket. The agent turned the cell off; it wasn't of any more use right now. The repeating beep was just nerve-wracking. He would charge it up back in the office. Whenever his team needed to reach him, they could do it by dispatcher.

After a further thirty-minute drive of humming and singing Colby reached the gates of 'Sun Valley'. He had to admit that, looking at the outside, the facility appeared to be a prison. High cement walls surrounded the area, spotlights fixed every few yards illuminated the environment and made it bright as day even in the darkest night. The tops of the walls were coveredbarbed wired. The iron gate itself was guarded by two armed security officers and Colby knew from earlier visits that several more officers were stationed all over the area. By all rights, 'Sun Valley' had high security, however Colby knew, that this first impression was soon dispelled, when passing through the gate. The hospital itself resembled a hotel more than anything else. The hospital was placed in the middle of a large park and gave its inmates the feeling of pure luxury.

Colby felt his gut crunch imagining the murderers and torturers being pampered, because they were deemed 'ill'. He wondered what their victims thought about that. Looking at Charlie, the young genius seemed to be happy, just knowing that Mary Clark was locked away, no matter where and how. Colby smirked. 'Let's see, if Clark is really that secured.'

The black SUV stopped in front of the gate and immediatly the guard in charge appeared at Colby's side.

"Sir,", the young man greeted him.

Colby nodded and handed his credentials through the open window. "Agent Colby Granger, I'm with the FBI.", he explained in a flat voice. "I have a meeting with Prof. Sullivan."

Taylor Brown, the young officer, scanned the badge with curious blue eyes, checking the picture with the man at his side.

"One moment, please." The man turned towards the guardhouse and disappeared inside.

Colby observed him, smiling inwardly, at the awe the young officer showed because of an FBI-badge. 'Kids.'

Brown returned a few minutes later, smiling brightly. He handed the items back. "Drive through, Prof. Sullivan will meet you at the front entrance of the main building,", the young man explained eagerly. "Just straight ahead."

"Thanks." Colby took his badge and attached it to the pocket of his jacket. As soon as the gate was open he drove slowly through, diving into another world.

Colby saw the gate close again through his review mirror. 'Locked up.', he thought sarcastically. Feeling imprisoned still gave him the chills. He felt his stomach grumble and sweat poured down his face. Colby took a moment to compose himself. Breathing deeply in and out he assured himself, that he was able to leave the place again. 'Damn, like a tiro.' He hit the steering wheel and followed the road. His eyes flew from left to right. Every now and then, he saw groups of people, obviously patients with their orderlies strolling through the park or sitting on a bench. He shook his head, maybe Don's point of view wasn't that false at all; this had nothing to do with jail.

The agent banished those thoughts and concentrated back on the drive and his meeting with the doctor; there were more important things to muse about.

When the building came in to sight the agent realized a man in white scrubs was pacing the parking lot. 'Must be my date, impatient man.' The closer he got, the better Colby could make out the man's appearance. Sullivan was a man in his early fifties with his salt and pepper hair combed straight back. The ice-blue eyes caught Colby's attention. They were just like his. They glittered an indescribable blue and displayed his intelligence and understanding. 'The right combination for a doctor.' Colby mused. But unlike his own eyes, the doctor's eyes seemed to have a too soft touch.

The SUV came to a halt and Colby get out of the car.

"Agent Granger?" The doctor approached him.

"Nice to meet you Prof. Sullivan." Colby reached out his hand. The doctor took it and Colby remarked with satisfaction, that the man had a firm hand shake, maybe Sullivan wasn't that soft after all.

"Let's walk over to the park and have a seat," the doctor suggested in a tone, that left no room for discussion.

Colby smirked. 'The certainty of a leader.'

The doctor showed the way and Colby followed close behind. The agent wondered if the Professor would let him speak to Clark personally. Somehow he had his doubts.

TBC