Chapter Twelve
Megan walked into the hospital and followed the directions Alan had given her. He'd kindly called her yesterday, letting her know that Don was awake and was doing well. Home in a few days . They'd all been so relieved to hear the news. The day had been spent continuing the interrogation of Joseph Bruton. Bobby and Sammy Kasey had refused to talk. Colby had tried every tactic he could, yet it seemed their fear of Bruton out weighed their fear of prison.
David had been back through the house, they'd retrieved the tape and had all watched in stunned silence. Each one thinking Don had sat through this countless times. It sent a chill down the spine. David had gone through the tape section by section, looking for all evidence he could, to not only convict the men but also to try to track down the identity of the girl.
Their case against Bruton was tight, and according to the DA, enough to go for the death penalty. Either that or consecutive life sentences. They weren't going for anything less.
Bruton and his need to commit his crimes to video had opened the door for the agents to search every location, every warehouse, believed to be under Bruton's control. As the case grew so did their hatred. In twenty eight hours they'd manage to uncover operations they only suspected existed. Bruton's undoing had been to kidnap Don. Sanderson had been the catalyst. David thought about paying him a visit to thank him, and then scaring the crap out of the guy by letting slip that Bruton was to join him in prison, just so's he wasn't lonely.
Megan had begun questioning Joseph Bruton the same morning that Don had regained consciousness. He refused to speak at first, yet as she listed the evidence, all the paperwork, fingerprints, eye witnesses, the tape, he knew it was over. It didn't mean he was cooperative, it just meant that there was no point in his hiding anymore.
"You think I'm supposed to be ashamed don't you?"
"I don't care what you think Bruton. We have so much evidence right now. Thank you"
Bruton looked at Megan with a puzzled expression.
"Thank you for being such a dumb ass that you kept all of those photo's of the girls you sold in the boxes in your basement. All of them with your fingerprints. All dated"
Colby entered the room and threw a picture at Bruton, it was him and what looked like a thirteen year old girl. She was trying to pull away from him while he was laughing , his arm around her shoulders. Holding her firm.
"Seems you like to keep videos and photo's Bruton."
"What are you? The muscle?"
"No man, remember? I'm the one who knocked you out"
"Your guy Eppes, he dead yet?"
"He's alive and doing well" Megan leant forward, her eyes boring into Bruton's.
"He's alive, well and going to be giving us an account f the things you did, just so we can tack on a few extra years for you, after you've died"
Bruton had leaned forward, inches from Megan's face, Colby had stood alert, ready to intervene at any second, David watched from the other side of the wall, poised by the door.
"You think I'm scared of going to prison? Scared of death row even? Listen to me lady, I've acted out so many of my fantasies, I've lived a hundred times over, and you'll never take that from me"
Megan, unflinching, held his gaze.
"Just remember this Bruton, we may only be able to kill you once, but as soon as we do, all those fantasies, memories and feelings, will disappear in a second."
Bobby and Sammy Kasey were to be charged with kidnapping, human trafficking and anything else David could find to pin on them. He didn't feel like leaving any stone unturned. He wanted them to go away for a long ,long time. He leant back in his chair. He hadn't slept in two days and didn't foresee much sleep in his future. They had so much evidence to log, so many reports to complete. The case was growing and the fact it had broken the way it had only added to their work load. Every agent was taking it personally . One of their own had been taken. Don had been shot, beaten, tortured both mentally and physically , yet he'd managed to escape. Had led them to Bruton. Every fibre of David's being had wanted to go to the hospital last night. But he had to log the evidence, had to bring in the perpetrators of the crime.
Alan had called Megan a little after nine that morning. Don was awake. He was doing ok. His second call had come dinner time. Megan had relayed the information while she had spoken. David and Colby listening intently.
"Broken hand and fingers………….uh huh………sling…..for his left arm? Isn't it his right hand that was broken……..oh……..oh he said the same did he?…………no I guess we're not all that bright…..ha ha! No Alan, I hadn't considered that, guess that news didn't go down well"
She held her hand over the receiver and spoke to David and Colby.
"He's got to keep his left arm in a sling, the bullet caused a lot of damage and fractured his collar bone so he can't use either arm at the moment"
She continued talking to Alan, sending well wishes from the agents, explaining that she'd need to come with an agent the next day to get Don's statement.
Colby turned to David.
"That's gonna suck for him, in Afghanistan , I dislocated both my shoulders in a chopper accident, was hell for a few weeks having to have help with everything."
"Man I bet that awful, what happened?"
"We were going into a hot zone, got caught by surprise and the chopper went down. I was dragged out by my buddies and they popped the shoulders back in but I couldn't raise my arms high for weeks."
"And here I was thinking you did nothing more than cook for the troops over there"
"Hey man, I ain't a bad cook either!"
Megan put the phone down and ran her hand through her hair. She looked exhausted.
"Go home Megan, we've got it all here. If you're going to see Don tomorrow you don't want to worry him by going in all tired."
"You saying I look tired Granger?"
"Hell yes"
She smiled warmly at him, the relief apparent in all their faces.
"I'm taking Vikki Reynolds with me tomorrow. She can take Don's statement." Megan didn't want the defence coming back with anything against them so had called another department and arranged for a neutral agent to take the statement. She wasn't taking any chances. Plus, this way, she could be there for Don as a friend .
As Megan made her way toward Don's room she tried to think of the best way to tell him they hadn't found the identity of the girl on the tape. She knew he would ask, knew it would be bothering him, yet every database they had run her features through had come back negative. There was no way to know who she was and Bruton claimed to have no idea.
Vikki Reynolds was walking behind Megan, the other agent was lost in her thoughts so Vikki was giving her space. She'd lost her partner a year earlier so knew some of what Megan was feeling. The two had been friends for the past year, enjoying conversation over coffee after a shift. They understood each other in a way none of the male agents could. They felt things differently and could voice those differences without feeling judged. Not that the men meant to judge them. It just happened to be that way sometimes. When Megan had called to ask Vikki to take Don's statement , Vikki had understood and readily agreed. Megan could be there for Don, be supportive and wouldn't be accused of leading his statement in an way. Which had happened to Vikki the year before. She had been part of a hostage situation, her partner bleeding in her lap, she'd shot the men that had held them , held them inside an apartment. Killing two and wounding the leader. The Agent who had taken her statement had been part of her team. The defender, expensive suit, high class accent, had her statement thrown out , claiming bias. As am result the abductor had been giving a much lesser sentence.
Megan entered Don's room to find Alan leant back in a very comfortable looking chair doing his crossword, neither Don nor Charlie in sight.
"Hey Mr Eppes, how are you?"
"Hello Megan, it's good to see you. I'm good, Don's gone for a walk with Charlie. I wasn't allowed to go, apparently I fuss"
"And fuss you should Mr Eppes. This is Vikki Reynolds. She's here to take Don's statement."
Alan walked forward and warmly shook Vikki's hand. Vikki hadn't dealt with Don Eppes much but she could see the family resemblance immediately.
"I won't take up too much of your time Sir."
"That's ok Vikki, you take all the time you need. I'll go and find them for you"
"No that's ok Mr Eppes." Megan laid her hand on his shoulder.
"I'll track him down. Would you like me to bring you anything?"
"No thank you Megan"
Vikki moved to sit down by the bed, using the table to set out her paper, pen and tape recorder. Alan smiled warmly at her then continued his crossword.
Megan rounded the corner, fully expecting to have to search for the brothers, and was greeted with them both standing by the nurses desk, talking to a very pretty blonde nurse.
"So you know about the Eppes Convergence?" Charlie was beaming with pride.
"Had an ex boyfriend who studied at Cal Si for a while, he was studying applied mathematics and kept going on about his Professor being some big shot Math genius. Your surname reminded me of that. He used to bore me every night with stories about that professor.
Tell you the truth It's what made me end it with him, I couldn't stand those stories anymore."
Charlie was about to defend himself when Don interrupted.
"It's a good thing we're not related to that Professor then" he laughed.
"Oh such a good thing, I don't think I could take another Math boyfriend! He's put me off for life"
The nurse and Don both laughed while Charlie stood back frowning. How can math be boring? What kind of person was this woman? She'd seemed so cute, so intriguing but now he didn't want to even continue the conversation. He placed his hand on the small of his brothers back and gently hinted that it was time to get the hell out of there. He'd had enough of Don laughing at his expense. This tickled Don all the more, until his ribs started to protest, the movement of his arm to support them sent shock waves through his shoulder.
"Mr Eppes, you need to get back in to bed, I think you've walked enough for today"
The nurse gave Charlie a stern look and he nodded, gently moving his brother onward, toward his room.
As they began to walk down the corridor they saw Megan, standing with a disapproving look, hands folded across her body. Don's face broke in to a smile , Megan's expression remained unchanged.
"Hey Megan"
Don and Charlie made slow progress toward her.
"Typical men, you should be taking it easy, but no, you're chatting up the blondes. Charlie, I expected more from you"
"Hey, it was Don who stopped to talk"
"No I didn't, she spoke to me first"
"She was talking to me"
Megan couldn't help but laugh, it was so good to see Don smiling, although his smile was tainted with sadness. She ignored this and focused on the fact he was standing. He was alive.
She took in his appearance , right hand with the blue cast, through the dressing gown she could make out the heavy bandages on his left shoulder, his arm strapped down, loosely around his body and held up to his chest by the sling. She guessed it would have been tighter if it wasn't for the broken ribs. His face was flushed, either from the embarrassment of being caught flirting or from the effort of the walk. Megan suspected a little of both.
Charlie looked tired, tired, concerned, pale and also relieved. So many emotions on his face. His eyes were sad yet determined. Megan saw a conviction there that hadn't been apparent before. It seemed like he had made his mind up about something and nothing would sway him from his path. Megan suspected it had to do with Don's care.
"I've got Vikki Reynolds with me, she's here to take your statement Don."
He nodded at her , paused before asking,
"You staying as well?"
"Of course, let's get you back, shame you're wearing the dressing gown"
"Why?"
"If you hadn't I'd have walked behind you" Megan gave Don a wink and watched with amusement as his face became even more flushed. Charlie giggled beside him, ignoring the look from Don.
Together they made their way back to his room. Alan and Charlie helped him into the bed once he'd been introduced to Vikki. He laid down gratefully and even allowed Alan to fuss with the blankets, until he tried to tuck him in , then Don had voiced his annoyance and Alan had stepped away.
"Alan, you and Charlie should go and get something to eat, a coffee maybe? This may take a while so I'll come and get you when we're done."
Megan smiled warmly at both men but her eyes said this was non negotiable. They nodded and said their goodbyes. Don didn't want them to leave but knew this would be easier without having to witness his father and brother's reactions. At least Megan was here. For that he was grateful.
Don retold his story, retold the beating, the taunting, when he reached the video Megan placed her hand on his knee and sat giving quiet support. The details were difficult for Megan to hear, but she didn't react. She needed to be his stone wall. His unflinching raft in which to travel down this river.
After two hours he was exhausted. Vikki had all she needed, she collected her things , bid goodbye to Don, and told Megan she'd wait for her in the car.
"You ok Don?"
"Yeah, just hard to say all that, you know?"
"Yeah, you did well though. Good details, almost impressive there"
"Yeah, yeah. How are you getting on with the case?"
"We have so much evidence, we've got him on child trafficking, rape of a minor, numerous child abuse charges, there's drugs, stolen goods. You name it he's in to it. Plus the sick son of a bitch took photo's of all the girls, kept them in boxes in the basement"
"There were so many boxes" Don's voice was almost a whisper. Megan knew he'd been in that basement for hours, yet he'd never been able to find out what horrors those boxes held. Megan was glad, he'd gotten out of there with sheer determination. She shuddered to think how quickly that determination could have turned to desolation. If he'd never called they'd have never found him in time. She forced her mind back to the present.
"It's almost over Don, soon you'll be home and can concentrate on getting healthy, getting back to work"
"Did you find the girls parents?"
"We can't trace her, we've tried all the databases. We've passed it onto the Crimes Against Children Office. Hopefully she'll be recognised by someone"
"You know that won't happen"
"We can try Don, we can try."
"Bruton give you anything about her?"
"No, he says he doesn't know who she is, he just had his fun with her and threw her out like garbage"
"You saw?"
Megan looked at Don carefully, he'd grown very pale and couldn't look her in the eye.
"Yeah, we did. We're not going to stop looking Don. Not yet"
"I know"
Don laid his head back against the pillow. Megan stood and placed her hand on his right shoulder.
"Feel better Don, next time I see you will be at your brother's house, enjoying milking the attention and free dinners"
"I hope so, see you soon Megan. Thanks for coming today. I appreciate it"
Megan had given a brief description of the conversation to Alan and Charlie. Both knew Don had been beaten but neither had realised quite the mental severity of his ordeal. Charlie had grown quiet and Alan had gasped aloud as he realised Don's fingers were broken because he'd tried to look away from the images on the TV screen.
Don knew his father and brother had spoken to Megan, but he hoped they wouldn't mention it, not just yet.
Charlie had broken the silence first, they'd all been sat watching an afternoon Columbo episode.
"What else can they do if they can't find a missing person's report for the girl?"
"Not much buddy, they can run her face through the system, but if nothing comes up then it's pretty much a dead end"
"There's nothing more? That can't be right, there must be something?"
"Charlie there's nothing now drop it" Don's tone had surprised both Charlie and Alan. The conversation ended there.
Sandy came by after her shift in the ER had finished. She'd sat with the Eppes men, enjoying their company, getting to know their dynamic. Charlie has been over the moon to have a new set of ears to enthral. Don and Alan had exchanged bemused looks as they watched Sandy become more and more lost with the lecture Charlie was giving. She'd started off well enough, but now she didn't have a clue and her head was spinning. She made a point to remember to ask for some aspirin on the way out.
Dr McLeary came by to check on Don again. She seemed very pleased with his progress.
"You'll need some physical therapy on the shoulder Don, once it's healed some more. I'm guessing Sandy will be helping with your after care."
Sandy's face betrayed her as the redness crept up her cheeks. Dr McLeary smiled knowingly to her and continued, ignoring the confused looks on the men's faces.
"You need to take it slow, walk for a few minutes then rest. Don't try to over do it as you'll only end up back here and I won't be happy with that"
Don nodded, she had his full attention. Five words, that's all he was waiting for.
"The bandages will need to be changed regularly and you'll have to take some pretty strong painkillers which will probably make you drowsy. We'll see how you are tomorrow and if all checks out we can have you out of here the day after."
Not quite when Don hoped but still, an end in sight. He was a happy man. In two short days he would be making his way home with his family.
Dr McLeary and Sandy had both insisted on Alan and Charlie going home for the night. Home for a good nights sleep.
Don had taken a good hour to fall asleep. He was alone for the first time since his ordeal had ended and if he was honest, he wanted Alan and Charlie back.
He woke shortly after midnight, came awake with a start only to feel a warm hand on his arm.
"It's ok Don, remember where you are?"
Sandy leant forward and helped him drink a cup of water. He gratefully swallowed the cool liquid. Nodding when he'd had enough.
"You been here all night?"
"I have tomorrow off so thought I'd keep you company for awhile" She smiled at him and he gratefully returned with his own smile. He was very approving of this woman. He'd have to remember to tell his father.
"Thanks, for staying , and for all your help"
"Thanks are unnecessary Don, it's my pleasure. Now, back to sleep."
Sandy picked her book up and continued to read. She ran her fingers through the unread pages. The movement fascinated Don , he'd never seen anyone do that before. She read through the page, all the while running the fingers of her right hand through the pages, back and forth, back and forth. Slowly Don found his eyes growing heavy, closing, as he drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Sandy watched him fall into slumber, smiling, she adjusted his covers and once assured he was deeply asleep, she collected her things and left, leaving behind her book. She'd be back tomorrow to continue her story.