Chapter 37

At the police station... Duncan waited patiently for the paperwork to clear... he had no choice. He had pretty much been cleared of any suspicion in the sniper shooting... and despite or maybe because of what the sniper had said... he simply had to wait it all out.

And then there was his katana. He'd shown them the paperwork and indicated he was a dealer in exotic weapons and had been on his way to see a buyer... but the detective didn't seem to be buying into that story.

Right now detective Dwight Barren was deep in conversation on the phone and checking things on his database. At least he had removed the handcuffs from Duncan's wrist. Finally he hung up the phone and nodded to Duncan. "Guess you can go now... your story checks out with the witnesses and the references you gave."

"What about the sword?"

"Well now... that's a problem. Seems the records show you often seem to be carrying a sword. I've sent it off to be tested... just to be on the safe side." He smirked at Duncan. "Any problems with that?"

"None... but I want a receipt... it's very valuable." Duncan met his gaze evenly... without malice or trying to hide anything. If he wanted to allay the detective's suspicions... he needed to be as open and relaxed with him as he could be. It was definitely time to leave this town behind! The only reason he came back here at all was to see Joe and to visit Anne and Mary occasionally. He didn't even own a place here anymore. He just stayed at that apartment he'd rented when here.

"By the way... MacLeod," Barren said as Duncan rose to leave, "Too bad you couldn't have been in more than one place today."

"Why do you say that..." Duncan turned, a shiver running up his spine.

"Seems about a half an hour after the school shooting... there was another attack over on Patterson Street."

"Another one... anyone hurt?"

"Yeah... three people down... they're all at County... you wouldn't know anything about that would you?"

Duncan shook his head, "Patterson Street... that borders the park..." Suddenly Duncan had a very bad feeling about that second shooting. "Am I free to go...?" He gestured at the door.

"Said so... didn't I!" Barren turned back to his reports.

Duncan grabbed a cab outside and headed for County. While in the taxi... he called Joe and got the latest from him. "Stay inside... get some backup..." he told his friend and hung up. He hoped Methos and Ellie knew what they were doing rushing back to the school. Right now... he had to check on the second set of victims.

***

The information desk confirmed Duncan's greatest fear... one of the victims was George Layton. The old man had taken several shots and was currently in surgery. Duncan settled down to wait.

"Duncan?" He glanced up to see Anne Lindsey peering at him.

"Hello Anne... just checking on a friend." Duncan smiled at her tiredly but he didn't really want her involved. He glanced around, wondering if anyone was watching him even now... taking note of his friends... making plans to kill them.

"One of the sniper victims?" Anne sat down beside him. "I worked on some of the kids when they were brought in... I was absolutely floored that anyone would shoot at a schoolyard. Maybe it's the mother in me."

"Yeah... how's Mary..."

"A tomboy... big time. Max loves it." Anne bit her lip. Mary's father was not someone she liked to discuss with Duncan. She hadn't thought Max was at all interested... and he wasn't... he just somehow kept showing up to take Mary out for outings... and since Anne had no one in her life these days... Max was welcome.

"Listen Anne... someone might be targeting people who know me... get away from me and make certain Mary's all right." Duncan raised an eyebrow at her hoping she'd take the warning the right way.

Anne's face blanched and she nodded. Then she said brightly, "See you around Duncan." Then she rose and took off down the corridor.

Duncan breathed deeply. He looked around once more to see if anyone seemed out of place or taking note of Anne's sudden departure... but everything seemed normal. God he hoped so.

Finally a doctor in surgical scrubs came toward him.

"Mr. MacLeod? Duncan MacLeod?"

"I'm Duncan MacLeod," he said simply.

"I'm Dr. Ryan Atteberry... I'm George Layton's surgeon."

"How is he?"

"In recovery... he was asking for you before surgery... when I saw your name on the list at the information desk... I thought I'd talk to you... are the two of you relatives?"

"No... we're just friends... very good friends."

"Well... in that case... I can't really say anything about his condition... but he did indicate he wanted to see you... specifically you... if he survived surgery. I'll leave your name at the nurses' station. One of them can come get you when he's awake. I will allow you to see him for a few minutes... but only a few minutes... and don't upset him!" Atteberry walked briskly away.

Duncan settled down once more to wait. At the moment... it was all he could do.

***

Inside the curtained area of the recovery room... Duncan saw immediately that George Layton was in very bad shape. The nurse pulled the curtain behind her as she left and Duncan stood quietly over the old man.

George opened his eyes and nodded weakly at Duncan.

"Don't talk George... save your strength."

George shook his head. "Need to know... Derrick?"

"He's fine George..." Duncan hoped so even as he said it. He smiled at George.

George coughed and winced in pain. "Why?"

Duncan shrugged, "I don't know for sure George... maybe someone out to get to me... or someone from Derrick's past... the one he can't remember." He really didn't want George to know about immortality... that didn't seem fair to the man.

"Knew something ... wrong... heard about ... sniper on Cleavant's radio in ... park..." he coughed again.

"Easy George... you have to let this go..." Duncan urged his friend to relax, touching his shoulder gently.

George gripped Duncan's hand tightly, "Watch over that kid Duncan!" his eyes widened and then glazed over. The monitor beeped a loud tone indicating his heart had stopped. Duncan backed out of the way as the medical team entered to perform CPR. But Duncan knew his friend was gone.

"Don't worry George... I will keep an eye on that boy... both eyes... as often as I can!" he promised silently to his departed friend's spirit... then he turned and sadly left the hospital. Whoever this Peter Taylor was... whatever his reasons were... he was Mac's enemy now... and he wanted his head... no matter what!