Title: Buried
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
Lopez arrived fifteen minutes later.
"I don't want to see you for at least eight hours."Angela ordered as she gently ushered Tim from the room. "Go."
Despite the weariness and the pain Tim didn't want to admit he was feeling he was reluctant to leave. He paused in the doorway turning to check on his rookie. Lopez's expression softened.
"I've got this."Angela said quietly. "She'll be alright; go."
After a long moment Tim nodded and left.
Twenty-four hours later Lucy was released from the hospital. Per hospital policy she was bundled in a blanket and in a wheelchair as they exited. However, they did not go out the front door. Grey had thought it was too much of a risk so they arranged with a hospital to go out the service/delivery area. The department had set up a safehouse. It was early morning before seven. Another part of Grey's plan to get Lucy out safely.
Lucy wished for her weapon she didn't like being the one guarded. She wanted to be able to defend herself. On escort duty were Tim, Grey and Lopez. Lucy could feel their tension. They'd reached the outside loading area. It was under an overhang and exited to an alley. The hospital staff stayed in the doorway. They'd just reached the waiting department issued black SUV when gunfire erupted. Lucy heard Tim curse. She saw Grey and Lopez crouch near the wheelchair flanking it weapons drawn searching for the shooter. More bullets hit the bumper of the SUV. Before Lucy realized what was happening Tim gathered her in his arms threw open the rear door of the SUV and placed her inside. The door closed just as another bullet hit the rear right panel. Another shot and Lucy heard glass shatter possibly a taillight. Tim got in the driver's seat turned the ignition and threw the vehicle into drive. Before Lucy could catch her breath her T.O floored it and they left the alley with tires squealing.
Tim didn't relax until they were pulling into the garage of the safehouse. The condo was two stories and stucco blended in to all the buildings surrounding it. Typical Californian architecture. Lucy hadn't said much on the drive. Tim put the SUV in park and shut the engine off. He got out and walked around to the passenger side but Lucy already had the door open and was on her feet.
"Boot."Tim protested gently.
"I can walk."Lucy insisted in a quiet tired voice.
"Let's get you settled then."Tim suggested and led the way into the condo.
They entered into the kitchen and Tim had Lucy wait there. He withdrew his weapon and checked each room to make sure there were no threats. Tim didn't want to think there were leaks in the department but with this being a cold case tied to the IA he didn't want to take any chances. Finally with the last room cleared Tim went back downstairs. Lucy was leaning against the kitchen breakfast bar. She looked pale, drawn and worried. Tim called Grey to let him know they were safe in the condo. He frowned as Grey reported the shooter escaped but their were no injuries.
"Nobody was hurt."Tim told Lucy as he put his smartphone away.
"That's wonderful."Lucy said quietly. "Did they get the shooter?"
"No."Tim reported grimly.
Lucy wrapped her arms around herself and walked into the living room. The furniture was dark leather and followed. The coffee table and entertainment center were dark wood; it made the place feel like a CEO's office.
"You think Jackson and I opened Pandora's box?"Lucy asked after a few minutes.
"Maybe."Tim replied. "Somebody thought they got away with murder back in the day they won't want their lives ruined now."
Lucy turned back to face Tim and he saw her wobble. He moved quickly and steadied his rookie before she fell. She was too pale.
"You should lie down."Tim urged quietly. "You just got over that fever. It's going to take your body a few days to heal."
For a long moment Tim thought she was going to protest. Then Lucy pulled away from him and headed for the stairs. Tim watched her go making a silent promise to crack this case as quickly as they could. After what Lucy and Jackson went through they needed normalcy and routine. That wasn't going to happen until they closed the cold case.