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Chapter 57 - The Hotel Sketch

The Doctor, Tony the weapons developer, Jake, Jack, Sam and John popped inside the remains of Pete's hotel room. The room was torn up and debris littered everything. Broken glass was all over the floor.

As soon as they landed, Tony looked around. "Nice ride over, Doc! I like that! Nice! Anyone know where Pete was found in this mess?"

Jake lead them over to a spot in front of the bathroom door and pointed. "He was laying here."

Tony put his device on the floor and turned it on. "Hit the lights. It really works a lot better in the dark."

Jack turned off the lights. The Doctor stood with the other men and watched with his arms crossed. The projection showed line a line drawing of Pete walking out of the bathroom with something in his hands.

"Why isn't it as clear as it was back at the hospital?" Jake asked.

"Too much time has passed. It works using the residual matter within the dust particles in the air. Brilliant." the Doctor said.

Tony looked surprised. "Wow! You worked that out already? Damn, you are as smart as me!"

"What is he holding?" Jake asked as he pointed at the drawing of Pete.

"An overnight bag that you put your bathroom stuff in. It's not important. He was gathering his stuff to go back to our flat." the Doctor told them.

The projection of the Quauhtin seemed to blink. Tony looked at them and said, "Huh. I've never had that happen before."

The Doctor rubbed his beard and continued to watch the projection. One of the blinking Quauhtin opened the door and allowed two men in the hotel room. Pete shook their hands to greet them.

"He knew them! He wouldn't do that to just anyone." Jake said.

One of the men became very angry and put his hands on his hips. It was clear he was demanding something from Pete. Pete shook his head and walked away. The man grabbed a gun and hit Pete in the top of the head. Pete hit the floor.

"Concussion explanation." Jake said.

"No, it's not. There's more damage than that would have caused." the Doctor said as he rubbed his beard and watched the two Quauhtin attack the men. One was stabbed as the other one had his neck broke. The projection showed the two suspects come back over and kneel down beside Pete.

"What are they doing?" Jack asked.

"Talking to Pete. Probably threatening him." the Doctor explained.

They hit him in the head again with the butt of the gun. Pete lay still.

The other man had something small and oval shaped in his hand. He pulled a pin out of it and it exploded immediately. He fell into the floor.

The other man seemed dazed, but ran holding his left arm.

"That explains it. Pete was close to the blast. But, he wasn't burned. I wonder what sort of bomb it was."

Jake added, "A compression bomb. It even looked like one in his hand. They sometimes go off immediately once the pin is pulled. Why didn't we see any debris?"

The Doctor crossed his hands and took a deep breath. "I'm sure that there was debris that he was struck with. But that has already been removed when he was taken out of here. The pattern wouldn't show that. The dust has been disturbed too much." the Doctor said.

Tony nodded his head. "Yeah. Exactly."

The Doctor shook Tony's hand. "Damn. Well, we know what happened a bit clearer. Explains his injuries. He's lucky it wasn't worse. But, still not really any closer to finding out who's responsible for this mess. See what I was talking about, Jack?"

Jack crossed his arms. "You're right. It's like a ghost. Whoever they are, they are good."

Tony interjected, "Or just really damn lucky. I'm going with that. No one is that good."

The Doctor groaned. "Let's get back over to the hospital. They should be ready to move Pete by now. I'm going to ride with him. See you back at the flat?"

Tony nodded, "Nah, I was going to take your crew out for a drink. Join us after you get Pete settled. My treat!"

The Doctor looked back. "Jack. Come with me. Yeah, we'll meet you there! Thanks for helping us with that."

Tony shook his hand. "Happy to help! Pete's a friend of mine. I'm as anxious to get to the bottom of this as you are."

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