Title: Buried
author: Cindy Ryan
Notes and summary: See part one
By dawn Tim Bradford was not happy. The hospital had been checked and rechecked and no sign of the person who'd attacked Lucy and himself. The man had somehow gotten away. Current theory was the busted door in the basement delivery area. Grey's BOLO had yielded nothing. The doctors hadn't been happy with Tim either when he insisted at two am that he be released. Yet, they'd relented due to circumstances so Tim didn't have to check himself out AMA. Not that it would've been a first time for that.
Tim rubbed a hand over tired eyes. Grey had tried to send him home to get sleep. That he'd have several people rotating as Lucy's guards. People Grey trusted. Tim had appreciated that but his stubborn streak had kicked in. His rookie, his responsibility. She was in danger, he stayed.
His side hurt, but Tim ignored it as best he could. He'd had worse. What he wanted was Lucy to wake up so he could talk to her. How could the two of them have thought that digging into something wouldn't stir up hornets? Lucy was smarter than that. With a sigh Tim stood and called Grey. His C.O said Jackson was awake and that Grey would take over for Tim if he wanted to question the rookie. Tim said his thanks and ended the call.
As he waited for Grey Tim saw Lucy stir. She hadn't woken since he'd been released and taken up body guard duty. Part of Tim wanted to let her sleep but the other part needed to know what the hell she'd been thinking.
"Boot?"Tim prompted moving forward.
Lucy didn't wake and Grey took that moment to appear.
"West is still pretty groggy."Grey warned as Tim stepped by him and into the hall.
Tim nodded.
"They were equal partners in this mess."Grey continued quietly.
"He still asked for her help knowing she wouldn't turn him down."Tim responded grimly as he kept walking to West's room.
Jackson West felt the worst he had in a very long time. Physically and emotionally. Okay physically the pain wasn't too bad being numbed by the medication, but he felt drained. On top of that was the guilt eating away knowing he'd nearly got a good friend killed more than once. He was so grateful Lucy was resting and not in any pain and safe at least for the moment. He looked up as his door was pushed open. Grey had told him Bradford had wanted to talk. Jackson also knew Tim had been hurt in the latest attempt on Lucy's life. Jackson swallowed hard and sat up as straight as he could. Facing Tim Bradford on a good day could be intimidating. Today was not one of those.
"I'm sorry."Jackson began not knowing what else to say.
Tim stopped a few feet from the bed. His face was pale and his gaze angry.
"Not here for an apology."Tim stated quietly. "You're going to start at the beginning and tell me every bit of evidence you that made you think that you two could handle this investigation on your own."
"I never thought it would turn into something this big."Jackson said softly. "I had heard a rumor about my Dad back in the day and started digging. When it lead to this cold case I brought Lucy in."
"You brought her in on an unsolved cold case with corruption ties?!"Tim countered his voice rising. "You've been reckless before, West but this..."
"I..."Jackson started then stopped.
There was really nothing Jackson could say to that. Looking at things that way Bradford was absolutely right. He'd put them in danger.
Tim sighed and sat down in the visitor's chair. Jackson braced himself for the next onslaught but it didn't come.
"Start talking. Tell me everything you two found and maybe it can help us find the guy that attacked Chen tonight."Tim demanded.
For the next half hour Jackson filled Tim in on everything. Maybe just maybe he could give them a lead that would bring in one of tonight's assailants.