Chapter 16

Stunned, Jack lay there covered in a fine dust and fragments of concrete wall. As his senses came back into focus he did a quick check: feet good, legs good, body not so good, (a bit like an elephant was sitting on his chest), arms sore, head sore, vision blurry. He moved slightly and although the pain in his head made him wince he felt that he could get to his feet if he took it slowly. "Come on mate you can do it!" He heard the encouraging words and felt hands helping him up and knew that Bobby was alright. A handkerchief was handed to him and he looked at it blankly, "For the cut on your forehead, you've opened it up again," explained Bobby. Jack placed it over the spot and dabbed.

"You OK?" Jack asked.

"Sure, you know me I'm virtually indestructible," replied his friend cheerily. "How about you?"

"I've felt better, but it could have been worse. Do you think that anyone got out," he nodded towards the blazing building.

"Who can tell, I'll go and have a look, I can hear sirens so the fire brigade must be on their way," replied Bobby but as he turned to go he saw Myles jogging towards them. "How did you get here?" asked Bobby. "Did Olivia call you?"

"Olivia? No why? I was food shopping close by when I heard the explosion," Myles answered confusedly.

"Of course you were," The new voice caused the three men to groan in unison and turn round to see Dan King approaching, a smug expression on his face. "I'd like to say that I am surprised to see you here but I feel that I should inform you that we have been watching you, agents Manning and Hudson, and it would appear that you have been in cahoots with Agent Leland here from the start."

"Cahoots," smirked Bobby. "That's a word you don't hear very often. A bit like smitten or..."

"Why do you think that?" asked Jack, interrupting his friend before he got too carried away.

"It stands to reason, we've had tails on you two, Leland and Giordano. Obviously, we've been watching this place so we know that Richard Leland came here this morning to see Giordano. Then, surprise surprise you three turn up."

"I was food shopping," remarked Myles. "Which you would know if you have been surveilling me properly."

"Really, then where is the food?" asked King.

"Why would I bring my shopping here when I heard an explosion and assumed that there was an emergency," countered Myles.

"It's my belief that you three are trying to take over my investigation so that you can protect your brother, who, I am convinced, is up to his neck in this Mafia business bearing in mind that his father-in-law is one Giovanni Giordano!" replied King, angrily.

Jack, Bobby and Myles looked at Dan King in amazement, who would have thought that he could have found that out, even though his conclusion, us usual, was way off?

"I'm right, aren't I," he smirked.

"I was food shopping, I heard an explosion and I came to see if I could help," reiterated Myles through gritted teeth.

"Mr Leland, Mr Leland!" turning in the direction of the shouting the men saw a supermarket worker running towards them. "Mr Leland, you left your card. We've put your shopping in the cold store until you can come and collect it. I hope that's alright? The manager thought that you might want to help seeing as how you're FBI."

"That's perfect, Tim," answered Myles. "I'll be along in a little while. Thank you." he took his card and slipped it into his pocket as Tim made his way back to the shop. He grinned at King then said, "Now will some-one tell me what is going on."

Bobby and Jack hesitated, how did you tell some-one that their brother may have been killed in an explosion?

"Over here, we have survivors!" one of the firemen shouted. A young man was coming out of the side alley supporting an older man. Both were grimy with soot smeared across their clothes and skin and trickles of blood mixed in with the dirt. They were both coughing violently. "Richard!" shouted Myles, pushing King aside, he ran towards them closely followed by Bobby, Jack used his injuries to block King's way and slow him down. Myles grabbed hold of his brother and gave him a bear hug until Richard groaned in pain. Bobby took hold of Giordano and led him to the kerb where he helped him to sit as an ambulance hadn't yet arrived, though a distant siren implied that one would be arriving shortly. Dan King pushed himself forward, "I'll take it from her, Manning," he said.

"Sure thing, can you get him some water?" replied Bobby.

"I don't think so, we have a dangerous criminal who needs to be taken in for questioning, he can have a drink when we get back to headquarters," scoffed King.

"You have an old man suffering from smoke inhalation who needs treatment, I hardly think that he is going anywhere just yet," replied Bobby calmly.

"And the other one? Is he frail too?" King nodded towards Richard, who was now also seated on the pavement, talking to Myles.

"He isn't going anywhere either, he's on our side," Jack said. "Look, the medics are here, let them do their job and then we will decide who is going where."

"Hey! This is my investigation so I think that I will make the decisions, thank you very much!" blustered King.

"Naturally, only trying to help," smoothed Jack.

"As if I need your help," snorted King. "Is he fit to travel?" he added to the paramedic.

"Only as far as the hospital sir," he replied. "You are more than welcome to meet us there. St Michaels. Sir," he added turning to Jack. "I would suggest that you go there too, your injuries need looking at, especially the cut on your head." He turned away and continued with his treatments. King humphed but could little about it. The doors of the ambulance closed and Richard and Giordano were driven away.

"Come on," said Bobby. "Keys Jack, I'll drive. Let's go and get you looked at and see if we can stop King from arresting Richard, you with us Myles?"

"You bet, I'll fill you in on what Richard told me before he was taken away," replied Myles cheerfully.