Title: Family Ties
Author: I AM GRUMPY BEAR
Rating: PG 13 (for later Chapters)
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: Owning them, I do not.
Summary: Sequel type thing to Problems with the Past. Hazel is back with a new partner to help Gary and Crumb with a problem. (Really bad summary.)
Note: Reviews and help would be greatly appreciated still still.
Family Ties
Chapter six: Questionable Matters
"If everything seems to be going well you've obviously overlooked something." Steven Wright
Gary struggled to stay awake. His side was hurting worse than ever and he could feel the blood on his side. Gary rolled over onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. He struggled to sit up and finally managed to get into a sitting position. Gary winced in pain and struggled against the ropes that bond his wrist.
After struggling with the ropes for awhile, Gary finally gave up. His wrists were raw and his head was once again pounding. Gary took a deep breath and tried not to think about his pounding headache. "I have to get out of here," Gary said quietly to himself. "Where's the paper?"
Gary tried once again to get free and his hands finally slipped out of the ropes. Gary struggled to get to his feet and walked over to the door. He turned the doorknob and slowly opened the door. He looked out and saw the hallway empty. A pain suddenly shot through Gary's head and he grabbed the doorframe so he wouldn't fall. He stepped out of the room and into a long hallway. "Where am I?" Gary asked himself. He walked down the hall and down a flight of stairs. He realized he was in an old house apparently one that hadn't been lived in for a long time.
Gary felt a sharp pain in his side and grabbed hold of the railing. He knees suddenly gave out and he tightened his grip on the railing praying he wasn't going to fall. Gary was struggling to stay conscious, but could feel himself slipping.
Gary heard footsteps behind him and turned to see who it was. Gary saw Bostwick glaring at him. "I don't advise that," Bostwick said to Gary. He grabbed hold of Gary's arm and pulled him to his feet. Before Gary could react, Bostwick punched him in his injured side. Gary inhaled sharply and tried to get his breath back. Gary's mind suddenly went black and he once again sank into unconscious.
???
Hazel knocked on Nikki's door and waited. Nikki opened the door and Hazel walked inside. "So where's the picture?" asked Hazel looking around the room.
"Here," sad Nikki picking the picture up off the table and handing it to Hazel.
Hazel looked at the picture and was completely shocked. The picture fell from her hands and she collapsed into a chair.
"What's the matter?" asked Nikki as she picked the picture.
"I've seen this guy," said Hazel. "Twice."
"What?"asked Nikki.
"I saw him at Bostwick's funeral," said Hazel. "He started asking me questions, so I left."
"And the other time?" said Nikki.
Hazel swallowed and nervously tucked her hair behind her ear. "Yesterday," said Hazel hoarsely, "when I was on my way to McGinty's."
"Where?" asked Nikki.
"McGinty's," said Nikki. "It's a bar in Chicago."
"Why were you going there?" asked Nikki. "Wait never mind. You're going to stop being so secretive about this and start telling me what's going on. You saw him yesterday. So that means he's in the city. Okay?"
"We have to go," said Hazel quietly. She stood up from the chair and walked toward the door.
"Where?" asked Nikki as she grabbed her coat and followed her.
"You wanted to know what's going on so bad," said Hazel, "this is your chance to find out. Now let's got." She opened the door and walked out followed by Nikki.
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"Where's Hobson?" Crumb asked Marissa who was sitting at one of the tables in McGinty's.
"He's not here, Crumb," said Marissa.
"What?" asked Crumb.
"He's not here," repeated Marissa calmly.
"Where is here?" asked Crumb.
"I don't know," said Marissa. "I haven't seen him all day."
"Yesterday he called me and told me that Agent Hazel from the FBI was here again," said Crumb. "He told there was a death threat against me."
"Yeah," said Marissa. "Kind of."
"He told me to be here around ten," said Crumb.
Marissa got up from the table and walked over to the phone. She dialed Hazel's number and waited while it rang. It was about three rings before someone picked up, "Hello?" said the person on the other end.
"Is this Hazel?" asked Marissa not recognizing the voice.
"No," said the person. "This is her partner. Hold on."
Marissa could hear two people talking before Hazel answered the phone. "Hazel?" she said.
"I think Gary might be in trouble," said Marissa.
"You're not the only one," said Hazel. "Wait, did something happen?"
"Crumb's at McGinty's," said Marissa. "He told me that Gary told him to come to McGinty's around ten and Gary's still not back."
"We're already on our way," said Hazel. "We'll be there in a few minutes. Good-bye."
She heard Hazel hang up the phone and she did the same.
"What's going on?" asked Crumb.
"I'm not sure," said Marissa. "Agent Hazel will be here in a few minutes. She can tell you more about what's going on."
Crumb stared at her and shook his head. He was completely confused.
???
Hazel and Nikki walked into McGinty's and over to the bar where Marissa and Crumb were sitting.
"Hello again, Crumb," said Hazel.
"Agent Hazel," said Crumb.
"Hazel, actually," said Hazel. "This is basically unofficial."
"What's going on?" asked Crumb.
Hazel reached into her pocket and pulled out the letter. "I received this in the mail a few days ago," said Hazel as she handed the letter to Crumb.
Crumb took the letter and read through it. "You got this in the mail?" said Crumb looking at Hazel.
"Yeah," said Hazel.
"Why is Hobson on this?" asked Crumb.
"Your guess is as good as mine," said Hazel. "I'm not even sure who sent it, especially since it's signed by Bostwick. I did find out that Bostwick had a brother. His name is Samuel and he used to do some work for the FBI. He assessed criminals. Told us whether they were insane or not."
"You think his brother did this?" said Crumb as he handed the note back.
Hazel looked around the bar and then asked Marissa, "Is there a place we can talk in private?"
"Sure," said Marissa. "Follow me." They got up from the bar and followed Marissa into the office.
"Why do you think his brother did this?" asked Crumb.
"I saw him yesterday," replied Hazel. "He was walking down the street. I bumped into. I recognized him, but I couldn't remember where from. When Nikki showed me his picture and told who it was, I was pretty sure who we were dealing with. Wait, I forgot to introduce to my partner Nikki Stevens."
Nikki shook both Crumb and Marissa's hands.
"Where's Hobson?" asked Crumb.
"If he's not here," said Hazel, "I think he might be in trouble. When was the last time you saw him, Marissa?" She paused for a minute, embarrassed. "You know what I mean." she said quietly.
"I understand," said Marissa. "Last night, about an hour before closing time."
"I think he's in serious trouble," said Hazel.
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Bostwick walked down the hall of the old house. He saw a cat sitting on a newspaper outside the room Gary was in. "You were here yesterday," Bostwick said to the cat. "I threw you out then and I'm gonna through you out now." He was about to pick the cat up by the scruff of the neck when it scratched him. "Dumb cat," Bostwick said as he looked at the bleeding scratch. The cat growled at him, but didn't move from its spot on the paper.
Bostwick bent down again and tried to grab the cat, but it scratched him again. "Ouch!" shouted Bostwick. He finally gave up at trying to grab and kicked it off the paper. The cat hissed again and then trotted down the hall. "I hate cats," muttered Bostwick. He reached down for the paper and picked it up. He walked down the stairs and was about to toss the paper in the trash when the date caught his eye.
"What the Hell?" Bostwick asked himself as he stared at the newspaper. "This can't be right. It's probably a misprint." He finally decided that was all it was and tossed the paper into the trash. It took him a minute, but he finally walked away.
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Sixth chapter, sense will be made soon. Please review.