Alan glanced at the clock one more time before refocusing on the papers in front of him. For most of the morning, he had been working on a mall project, but for the past hour, he had stared at the same population density study. A cold feeling in the bottom of his stomach kept distracting him, and now he realized he had read the same paragraph at least 4 times. He shoved the file to the corner of his desk and stood up and stretched. It's been a few hours since I ate; that must be my problem. Stalking to the small room he and his partner had set up as the break room, he grabbed his lunch out of the refrigerator. The weather was inviting, so he decided to take his lunch outside to the park next door.
The small park was fairly crowded with other people taking advantage of the warm weather, but he was able to snag a table near the road; while eating his lunch, he enjoyed watching the traffic and people pass. Unwrapping his tenderloin sandwich, he took a big bite of the thick meat. Normally, he could shake off the day's stress with that first bite, but today the food settled at the bottom of his stomach like a heavy rock. A chill suddenly ran up his spine, and goosebumps broke out on his arms. Something wasn't right, and his paternal instincts were screaming. He threw his uneaten lunch in the nearby trash receptacle and pulled out his cell phone. A phone call to Don would help to settle his nerves, and he could always bring lunch to Charlie.
A dark Suburban, pulling into a parking space in front of his office, grabbed his attention. Speak of the devil. Alan headed over to meet his oldest son. Immediately, he felt the breath snatched away from his lungs when he realized that only Megan and David exited the SUV. Hastily, he stuffed his phone back in his pocket and jogged over to the FBI agents. His heart beat wildly out of control, and spots swam across his vision.
"Mr. Eppes," Megan called when she spotted him. She could tell by his pale face that he was expecting bad news.
"Where's Don?" Alan managed to squeeze out through a quickly constricting throat.
"Let's go into your office; you need to sit down." Megan used every ounce of training to control her voice. She waved for Alan to lead the way.
"Please," Alan quietly demanded. "Just tell me."
"There's been a shooting; we're here to drive you to the hospital." Megan and David reached out to steady Alan when he swayed dangerously at the news.
"Is-Was," Alan took a deep breath before continuing, "how is Don?"
"Don has a knot on the back of his head, but he was conscious and talked to me for a few minutes." Megan's stomach churned at the thought of Alan's next question.
"Let's go." Alan turned toward the SUV. He was just about to hop into the back seat, when he paused. "Wait. Why are you here for a bump on the head?" The blood drained from his face, "Oh...No...Please...No!" He glanced at Megan with the fright only a parent can possess written in his eyes. "Not...Ch-Charlie!"
David reacted quickly and grabbed Alan's elbow and helped him into the truck. "Come on, Mr. Eppes, we can explain on the way to the hospital." He took the keys from Megan. "Why don't you ride in the back with him. I can drive." He whispered.
"Please, I need to know." Alan spoke after riding for a few minutes in silence. He stared ahead out the front window, and for that, Megan was grateful. She didn't think she could take his heartbroken expression head-on again.
"There was a drive-by shooting at Calsci." She paused letting that information sink in. "Charlie was hit twice in the chest. I didn't arrive on the scene until they had already medevac'd him out of there, but I did see Don, and like I said, he has a possible concussion, but he was not shot."
"The one place I thought Charlie was safe, and look what happens." Alan squeezed the bridge of his nose. "I thought if anything, it would be working with the FBI that put Charlie in danger. Who did this to my sons?" Alan looked over at Megan. "A disgruntled student, Calsci employee, who?"
"Mr. Eppes, those are possibilities, but we believe a local gang got wind of our investigation and trailed Don from the office. I'm sorry, I wish there was more I could tell you." At that second, her phone rang cutting off the conversation. "Reeves. Thanks, Colby. We'll be there in 10 minutes."
"Any news?" Alan asked as soon as Megan disconnected the call.
"They are taking Charlie to surgery, and Don is still being examined." Megan reached over and squeezed Alan's hand. "They are both strong and stubborn, and I have faith that they will pull through." He gave her hand a slight squeeze in appreciation. The rest of the trip was traveled in silence.
"Megan, David!" Colby called when he saw his partners enter through the emergency room entrance. "Mr. Eppes, a nurse just told me the doctor will be by with news on Don." He patted Alan's shoulder.
"Any thing on Charlie?" Fear dripped from Alan's voice.
"Not yet, but the nurse also told me we could wait on the surgical floor. She said the nursing center will keep us informed from there."
"Why don't I stay with Don, and you three can go on up?" David spoke up.
Before anyone could reply, a doctor came around the triage desk. "Agent Granger, I'm Dr. Starnes." She looked at Alan. "Are you Don's father?"
"Yes, how is he?" Alan shook the offered hand. Dr. Starnes waved the group over to some chairs in a secluded corner.
"Your son was unconscious on arrival, but the MRI came back negative for a concussion. I believe he collapsed mainly from shock and exhaustion. We are giving him intravenous fluids to stabilize his electrolytes."
"So, he's going to be alright?"
"Yes, but I'd like to keep him over night for observation. He's been semiconscious off and on for the last 40 minutes. He's pretty groggy; I suspect the knock to his head coupled with the shock of the situation caught up with his lack of sleep." She looked down at the file in her hand. " The other victim, he is also your son?"
"Yes, my youngest. Can you tell me anything about him?"
"I only know that they took him to surgery. Dr. Weisz is the attending surgeon. If you'd like, you can wait in Don's room, and I'll see what I can find out about Charlie." Dr. Starnes stood up and signaled to the nurse waiting nearby. "Maggie, please show them to Agent Eppes' room."
"Thank you for your help." Alan again shook hands with the tall doctor.
"Rest assured, Mr. Eppes, your son is getting top-notched care."
Don was sleeping when they entered the room. Megan, David, and Colby all took turns speaking with him.
"We should head over to the office. Maybe we can convince Merrick to let us stay on the case." David looked over at Alan who was sitting forlornly by his son's bed. "One of us should stay here. I don't think Mr. Eppes needs to be alone, in case..." He trailed off.
"I'll stay." Megan offered. "If Merrick wants me back, give me a call." She hated shirking her job responsibilities, but she knew she was needed at the hospital. David squeezed Megan's shoulder before heading of the room.
"Call us the minute you hear something." Colby whispered. "We can get back here in under 20 if need be."
"Thanks, I know Don will appreciate that." Megan smiled. She watched Colby leave, before crossing the room. She took the seat across from Alan, and they began the slow, painful process of waiting.
