Thanks for the catch on the Chapter number...when I combined chapters earlier, I forgot to change the following ones to reflect that change. I am almost finished with this story-work has played havoc with my free time-so I will be able to update faster from now on. Thanks for reading my story and for the reviews. :)
Chapter Thirteen
Detective Carter saw McNeely through the glass as he entered the emergency room, pulling out his badge even before he reached the desk. It had taken McNeely longer to arrive than Carter had expected and, never having liked the man, he enjoyed seeing the lines of stress on his face. There might be some sanctioning to come for his actions, but if it put this man away, it would be well worth it.
"Let him through," Carter said to the staff member who then buzzed him through the doors into the ER hallway. Detective Carter waited as McNeely came through. McNeely stopped in front of Carter. "You're Detective Carter?"
"Yes I am," he confirmed nodding down the hallway, "They just took him back about fifteen minutes ago."
"You sure it's Caffrey?"
"Yes," Carter answered, "I sent a photo to Burke and he verified."
"I guess he'll be here soon," McNeely said, "He wants to make sure Caffrey hasn't jeopardized any cases they were working."
"Burke is still tied up and I told him Caffrey's in no condition to give a statement right now anyway," Carter replied. "I told him I'd call him when he was out of surgery."
"What's his condition?" McNeely asked, "Is he going to recover?" Carter knew that McNeely hoped he wouldn't.
"Stable now," Carter answered, "but he was in pretty bad shape; lost a lot of blood. They've taken him back to prep him for surgery."
"I want to see him," McNeely said with determination, "Just to make sure it's the same man from last night."
"Is there any doubt?"
"Humor me." McNeely didn't wait for Carter, but stormed down the hallway, flashing his badge and making demands to see his suspect. Carter followed.
It helped that everyone involved with Neal Caffrey had been briefed and knew their role. After checking both Carter and McNeely's badges, the two men were allowed into the restricted area where Neal was being prepped for surgery. Carter hated to allow McNeely near Caffrey considering the fact that the man wanted him dead, but also because in Caffrey's current mental state, the meeting would only reinforce his feelings of distress. Carter knew that McNeely couldn't make a move with him present, so he was curious as to his real reason for wanting to see the man. It certainly wasn't for verification.
Caffrey looked some better than he had the last time Carter had seen him. He had been cleaned up; the bloody clothes had been replaced by a clean gown. He was hooked up to machines that monitored everything from his heart rate to his oxygen level.
"Why is he not cuffed?" McNeely demanded of Carter, "He's a documented flight risk."
The nurse who had just finished hanging a bag of plasma to the rack above Caffrey's head replied.
"Sir," her tone was impatient "we had the restraints removed when we brought him back, and you can put them back on once he's out of recovery. He is going to surgery as soon as we get his blood level up to an acceptable level."
"When will that be?" McNeely asked,
"Soon," she responded. "Why are you here? This is a restricted area."
"I know," McNeely said, badge again at the ready."I just need a minute. Is he conscious?"
"Somewhat," she answered, "He's been given a pre-operative sedative to keep him calm, and he needs to stay that way. That means he is not, I repeat not, up to any kind of interrogation, do you gentlemen understand?" Her look told them she was not one to be argued with.
"I understand," McNeely said, stepping over to Caffrey, "I don't need to interrogate him, I just want him to know I am here."
His words sent a wave of anger over Carter. McNeely purpose for being here was now clear; to gloat. He thought he had gotten the best of his prey and he wanted him to know it. Carter stepped closer himself; if McNeely was stupid enough to say something incriminating he wanted to be able to testify to the fact.
"Caffrey," he said, leaning down near his victim. "Caffrey, do you hear me?"
Caffrey's eyes opened at McNeely's words. The medication slowing his responses, it took a moment for him to realize who was speaking to him. When recognition dawned on him, Carter saw alarm that the administered dose of Valium couldn't curb.
"Remember me?" McNeely asked, his tone taunting. The equipment monitoring Caffrey's heart rate noted a rise and McNeely glanced up in satisfaction as the pace of the low beeping increased; He clearly enjoyed the fearful look on Caffrey's face. The man was a sadist, Carter decided. He'd even take a demotion if it helped put this man away.
"Where's Peter?" Caffrey mumbled, his eyes darting around the room. Looking, Carter assumed, not for his handler, but his for his friend. He felt bad for Caffrey, looking in vain for a friendly face. His gaze found Carter's face but returned in disappointment to McNeely's. Carter hated Caffrey lumped him in the same category as McNeely, but he could understand why he would given the circumstances. In spite of the truth, Carter knew that in Caffrey's mind, he had no friends here, only enemies.
"Burke isn't here, Caffrey," McNeely's voice was low "Your little dog and pony show with the FBI is over." He leaned closer, "Agent Burke is done with you. He told me so himself."
"I don't believe you," Caffrey whispered. Even if he had said he didn't trust anyone, Carter knew Caffrey was still holding out hope in Peter Burke.
"It's true," McNeely replied, "I mean, I think Burke hates to see it come to an end; you've helped him make a name for himself. But now, well now you are more trouble than you're worth. A liability even. So he's left you to me."
Caffrey didn't verbally respond to McNeely's words but his vitals did: His stress triggering an alarm that prompted the Nurse to end the visit.
"I told you not to upset him," she said firmly, ushering the men out of the area "I want both of you out of here, now," she said firmly, "Someone will let you know when he is out of surgery."
"How long will that be," McNeely asked, "and when can I talk to him?"
"Forty-five minutes in surgery, barring any complications," she informed them, "and at least another hour in recovery. When he's moved to a room, he will be able to have visitors. But not before that."
McNeely wasn't satisfied with her answer. "Look, I'm not a visitor; I am Detective with a job to do. The sooner I can interview him the better."
The nurse was not impressed nor swayed. "I appreciate that, sir, but I also have a job to do. There will be no visitors, or detectives, until he is out of recovery. You can wait in the second-floor waiting area if you wish."
Dismissed, the men left, traveled down the wide hallway and exited the huge double doors that lead back out into the emergency waiting room.
"I need to give Burke a call," Carter said, "He is going to want first shot at talking to him when he comes out, you know."
"Of course," McNeely seemed quite pleased, his eariler stress having faded. "I can wait. Plus, I have a call I need to make myself." Carter could guess what that call was going to be; a call to have Neal Caffrey killed. He could only handle the smug look on McNeely's face because he knew that, soon, it would be wiped off.
WCWCWCWCWCWCWC
Peter was just finishing up at the office when Carter's call came. Jones had had a breakthrough with the missing money and had gone to bring in the accountant who had made the transfers. Warrants signed; other members of the team were digging through both McNeely and Reece's records. Diana had everything ready at the hospital. It had been a productive period of time. Everything was on track and in place; except Peter. His place was at the hospital with Neal.
Carter relayed what the nurse had told him about Neal's condition, as well as the timeline for his surgery and subsequent release into recovery. He also told him about McNeely's insistence on seeing Neal before he could be taken to surgery. Peter clenched his jaw in anger as Carter described the encounter.
"I am on my way there now," Peter told him. "McNeely knows me so I am coming in the back way. I will let you know when I arrive; I plan to be in recovery by the time Neal gets there."
"You have ten agents here, Burke, besides myself and Agent Berrigan whom, I must say, seems more than capable of handling things. I thought you'd want to be the one to pick up Garrison when this all comes down. He's the big fish here."
"No, I'm want to be there," Peter said firmly, "this time when someone tries to kill Neal they are going to have to deal with me. And after everything McNeely has done and said…" The thoughts of McNeely taunting Neal made him furious. "He's the one I'm looking forward to putting cuffs on."