SD-6
On her way to the conference room, Sydney ran into Sloane.
"Sydney, have you heard from your father lately? He's not here yet. It's not like him to be late," Sloane said with concern.
"Oh, he hasn't called you yet?" Sydney asked.
"No, why? What happened?"
"Dad tripped over a chair earlier this evening and dislocated his shoulder. He's also got a pretty nice knot on his forehead. He was in the emergency room most of the night; I just picked him up a little while ago and took him back to his place. When we got your pages he was pretty out of it because of the muscle relaxants. He said he was going to call you, but he must have fallen asleep while I was on my way over here."
Sloane considered Sydney for a moment feeling an itch between his shoulders and thought, "Jack's not accident-prone unless he's been drinking. Of course, this whole business with Laura could be enough to make him drink. The fact that Laura is still alive and that Sydney wants to find her is killing him. For now I'll accept Sydney's story, but something's not quite right."
Sydney shifted her feet and flushed as Sloane silently considered her. Finally, Sloane said, "Sydney, I have a mission for you, but it can wait for a couple of days. I'd like you to look after your father for a couple of days."
"Are you sure the mission can wait? It doesn't involve my mother does it?" Sydney queried.
"Yes, I am sure it can wait, and no, its not related to your mother, " Sloane answered.
"Okay, thanks. I think Dad and I could use some time together right now."
Sydney's earlier embarrassed look and desire to spend time with Jack confirmed his suspicion that Jack was drinking again. "I'll have to keep an eye on him. If he starts drinking too much, I'll have to intervene. I still need him for the moment, " Sloane thought. Sighing he went to the conference room and cancelled the meeting. On his way back to his office, he stopped by Security section and asked them to check the emergency room records for the last night.
