Jo and the others got down to the hospital as soon as they could. Danny and Sheldon were still in the waiting area. "What's going on?" Jo asked.
"We're still waiting," Danny answered. "The doctor says he will let us see him soon."
Jo could not believe it. "There must be something going on."
Lindsay leaned on Danny's shoulder and frowned. All she wanted to hear was that Mac was going to be okay. Danny yawned again. He was very tired from staying there all night and all day but he was not going to leave now. He just could not believe Mac was hanging on by a thread but that was what the doctor seemed to be implying.
"They wouldn't even let me in there," Sheldon said. "There's nothing else they can tell us so all we can do is wait."
"Why can't we be in there with him?" Jo asked. "Why does he have to be in there alone?"
"It's just the way things work. Cuts down on germs, keeps the room clear in case there's an emergency. There are lots of reasons."
"None of which make sense. We can wear a mask, wash up, and we would move aside if something happened."
Sheldon shook his head. "It's just policy," he said.
They all paced around the room, wondering if they were going to see Mac alive again, wondering what was happening to him. Sheldon sat down. "When the stabber twisted that knife, he did extensive damage," he said. "I mean, it not only stabbed but it ripped and tore through whatever was there."
"To do the greatest amount of damage," Jo said. She folded her arms. "Doesn't sound like someone who has never been in trouble."
Don nodded. "He's either put a lot of thought into it or he was involved in some unsolved crime in the city."
"There was no medical background so he doesn't know that from anything he's seen from that."
Don sighed. "Maybe he's practiced on animals."
Jo's mouth dropped open with disgust. "That is just awful."
"Well, I've seen everything. I mean, there are dead animals found all over this city all the time. Who knows how they died and I'm sure there are many that no one ever finds."
"All those are strays, I guess."
"I guess."
After another hour, the doctor came into the waiting area and told them that they could see Mac now, but only one at a time. Jo hated that. "Why can't we all go in at the same time?" she asked.
"It's just too much," the doctor replied. "One at a time." He turned and left.
"You go first," Don said, referring to Danny. "You've been here all night and all day."
The others agreed so Danny nodded. He turned and went through the doors which led down a hallway. A nurse met him with sterile clothing that he had to wear to go in where Mac was. He got into them and then was led to Mac's room. "He's asleep so he won't respond to you," the nurse said.
Danny nodded and went into the room. He walked over to the bed and looked at Mac who seemed to be breathing easily. He was breathing on his own, but his blood pressure was still low and his heart rate was slow. "Mac," Danny said. He almost expected Mac to say something. "We found the guy who did this to you. He's marinating now. We got the two who helped him too, and we found that treasure that they stole from the chef. You were right, they had stolen what he had with him to show." Danny thought about what he just said. "Why would he have that to show unless…" He stared at Mac. "Don't give up, Mac. We need you at that lab." He thought Mac looked awfully pale. He touched Mac's forehead much like he felt of Lucy's head when he thought she might have fever, and Mac felt cold. "Come on back to us, Mac." He had thought they said Mac had fever before, but he supposed he could be hotter on the inside than on the outside.
Danny hated to leave, but he had to let the others come in. He left the room and went back out to the waiting area. The others could tell by the look on his face that it was not good. They had decided who was going next, and that was Jo, so she went on through the doors.
Danny walked over to Don. "I just had a thought," he said.
"What?" Don asked.
"Why would Manicotti have some of that treasure with him to show unless he thought he was meeting someone who was going to buy it?" Danny asked.
Don considered that a moment. "Maybe he thought he was going to meet up with one of those rich men who were going to buy them."
"That's what I was thinking. Why would he bring something like that for some amateurs to look at? He probably wouldn't have even shown up if he had known he was meeting them."
"You may be on to something there, Messer."
"You guys did your part in that case, and now, I'm going to do mine. Let me know if anything changes with Mac."
"Sure will."
Danny walked over to Lindsay and kissed her. "I'll see you later," he said.
"Where are you going?" Lindsay asked.
"I don't think that case is completely solved yet."
Danny left the hospital and went back to the lab. He would have to do the search himself since everyone else was at the hospital. He would have to get a subpoena to get Manicotti's phone records and then he would find out whether he had a conversation with Waddle or Gordon in that time. Danny had not even met John Gordon yet. He and Mac had planned to be visiting that guy this very day and then everything had gone haywire.
Jo walked into Mac's room and sighed. "Mac Taylor, how did you get yourself into this?" she asked. "Why didn't you take someone with you?" She walked over to the bed. She wished she had known what he was doing. She held his hand and it felt so cold and limp. "Mac, don't leave us. I don't want to be in charge of that lab." Jo paced around the bed and sighed. "Oh, Mac, I wish you would just twitch or something. You're part of our lives and we don't want you to be gone. It just wouldn't be the same without you."
When Jo came out of the ICU area, the others saw her wipe a few tears. "Oh, I hate seeing him like that," she said. "He just has to come out of this."
Sheldon went in next. He was ready to get in there and do his own exam and hear Mac's heart for himself. He got into the sterile clothes and got a stethoscope before he went in there. He walked over to Mac's bed as he entered the room. He could see that Mac was very pale to what his skin color usually was. He picked up Mac's wrist and felt his pulse. He had to admit it was very weak and slow. He listened to his heart which sounded pretty strong but slow. The blood loss had caused his blood pressure to be low and he had not built back up yet. Sheldon looked at Mac. "Fight, Mac," he said. "You can overcome this."
Danny was getting his subpoena and then waiting for the phone company to respond. He had to have those phone records. It might be the only way to prove that Eddie Waddle or John Gordon had any contact with Pierre Manicotti. He had to get the phone records from the landline phones and the cell phones. There had been nothing in the computers that pointed to anything, so he must have spoken to them on the phone. Danny just hoped they had not done all their talking at the restaurant. If they had, they would probably get away with their crime of trying to steal those treasures.
The next to go into Mac's room was Don Flack. He walked over to Mac's bed and folded his arms. "You should have told me you were going to that bar," he said. "I could have gone with you or I could have sat outside." He frowned and paced back and forth. "I don't mean to be scolding you. I just wish I could have helped you." Don hated it when someone got hurt and he might have been able to prevent it…if he had known about it. He could not understand why Mac had not told anyone that he was going to the bar to look for a suspect. He thought maybe Mac was just looking for information and did not expect to find anyone and that was why he did not tell anyone. He had gone to bars alone before and searched for information. He could not really say anything about Mac doing it.
Danny finally got the phone records and began looking through them. He found the ones for the last few months and found that Manicotti had been in contact with Eddie Waddle, and he had been in contact with him the night he was murdered. He did not find any contacts with John Gordon. Danny wondered if it was all Waddle's idea to hire those thugs to steal that treasure. He could not understand that though, but he figured the man thought no one would ever be looking for that treasure since no one knew it existed anyway and he wanted it all without paying for it. Danny thought this would be enough to get him a warrant to bring Eddie Waddle in for questioning. He called Don to let him know what he was doing.
"I would love to bring that guy in," Don declared. "If he had anything to do with what happened to Mac, I want him to go away for a long time."
"I don't think they had anything to do with that, but I know that Eddie Waddle had called Manicotti the night that he was murdered."
"What about John Gordon?"
"No sign that he had talked to him that night, but he could have been in on it too."
"We have to have proof if we're going after them."
"Well, I'm getting a warrant to bring in Eddie Waddle."
"I'll go with you to serve that warrant," Don said. "I want to see the look on his face."
"Me too," Danny replied.
By the time Don got Waddle to the precinct, he had three lawyers there waiting. However, he took Waddle to the interrogation room anyway. "You have no right to hold our client here," one of the lawyers declared.
"We're questioning him anyway," Don said. "So, why don't you just shut up?"
"I don't have to answer any of your questions," Waddle said. "You don't have any proof that I had anything to do with this."
"Oh, but we have proof that you talked to Manicotti the night he was murdered."
Danny came into the room as well. He sat down at the table. "I just couldn't figure out why Manicotti would agree to meet with some low-life amateurs about this treasure," he said. "And the only thing I could think of was that he must have thought he was meeting you." Danny leaned on the table. "You hired those thugs to lean on Manicotti so you could get that whole treasure for yourself, didn't you? They went to his house and he wasn't there, and you didn't know that one of them was a budding murderer so he kills them and they trashed the house looking for the treasure which they must have thought would be in plain view or stored somewhere obvious."
"And then when they didn't find it," Don went on. "You sent them to meet him and the same guy wound up killing him and taking those two eggs, but then he decided not to give them to you but he stored them in a safety deposit box to get more money out of you. Are we getting close?"
Waddle glared at them. "That is absurd!" he said. "Why would I need to do something like that when I could buy that whole treasure?"
"Because you didn't want to pay for it," Danny said. "You wanted to get it so you could sell it under the table and you knew he wouldn't say nothing about it because some of those paintings were stolen and he would be up for grand theft and no telling how many other charges."
"All I know is, Manicotti had that treasure and I wanted to buy some of it from him," Waddle said. "That's it! I have nothing to do with this."
"Do you know John Gordon?" Don asked.
"Of course I know him. What does he have to do with this?"
"We think he was in on this with you. Maybe he hired those thugs."
"Maybe he did. Maybe you should ask him. I am not in league with him."
Danny leaned back in his chair and blew out a breath. He hated it when they knew someone was guilty and could not arrest them because there was no evidence that implicated them in the crime. "If that is all, gentlemen, my client is leaving," one of the lawyers said. "You have nothing on him, and you're going to be hearing about this."
"Go ahead and talk about it," Don said. "We had a warrant and we had legitimate reason for bringing him in here."
Waddle left with his lawyers. Don and Danny looked at each other. "You knew that was how it would be," Don said.
"Yeah," Danny replied. "I was just hoping he would slip up. It's only circumstantial evidence that can't be used to convict anyone."
"Even the word of the ones he hired is not good enough. We would have to catch him red-handed, but since he didn't have the eggs, there's no way to do that either."
Danny closed his folder. "So, how was Mac when you saw him?" he asked.
Don shook his head. "He was not changed," he said. "He was just lying there."
"It's hard to see him like that."
"Yeah. He's supposed to be Superman."
Lindsay had just come from Mac's room when Danny and Don arrived back at the hospital. She did not look happy. "How long can he lie there like that?" she asked.
Sheldon shook his head. He knew a person could lie there a long time and then go either way. He hoped Mac survived but he could not be sure that he would until something changed. They all sat around in the waiting area and Danny told them what happened with the interrogation of Eddie Waddle. "No way to prove it," he said.
Jo rolled her eyes in disgust. "It just makes me sick that somebody can get away with a crime just because they have money," she said.
Just then, Danny's phone rang and it was the chief calling. "Uh oh," he said and got up to answer it.
"I think we're going to get a little feedback from that interrogation," Don said as he shook his head.
"Probably," Jo agreed. "We try to do our jobs and people would rather prosecute us than the ones who are committing the crimes."
"Makes me wonder why I do this job sometimes."
Danny walked back over to them. "Don, you and I are wanted men," he said. "We have an appointment with the chief."
Don frowned and stood up. "I figured it," he said.
Jo came over to them. "Don't worry about it," she said. "You did the right thing no matter what happens."
Don and Danny left and went out to their cars and went to the precinct. Chief Burns was waiting for them when they got to his office. "Have a seat," Burns said.
Don and Danny sat down in the chairs in front of Burns' desk. "Chief, I know this is about…" Danny began.
Burns held up his hand. "I don't want to hear it," he said. "Eddie Waddle wants to bring a suit against this department."
"We didn't arrest him," Don declared. "And we had a warrant to bring him in for questioning because he had…"
"I know all that, but that still doesn't change what he's doing."
"Chief, we got that warrant from a judge who thought we had just cause to bring him in," Danny said.
"Yes, you did, but I'm just warning you about what's coming. How is Detective Taylor anyway?"
Don frowned. "We don't know," he said. "He hasn't woke up yet."
"The doctors haven't said anything?"
"Nothing encouraging. They don't know, we can only wait."
Jo and Lindsey were sitting in the waiting room when the doctor came from the ICU. They stood up and waited for him to tell them something. "His heart rate has increased a little," the doctor said. "And his blood pressure has come up some too."
"Oh, thank God!" Jo said and hugged Lindsay.
"I'm not saying he's out of the woods yet, but it's a good sign."
"Thank you, Doctor. When can we see him again?"
"This afternoon. We still have to keep a close eye on him. If he improves more, he may get to go to a room tomorrow."
The doctor left and Jo sighed a sigh of relief as she and Lindsay sat back down. "I am so glad he is improving," Jo said.
"Me too," Lindsay replied. She sent a message to Danny to let him know. They knew Mac was not out of the woods yet, but he was walking in the right direction right now.
The next morning, Mac's heart rate was back up the way it should be, but he still had not regained consciousness. His blood pressure was almost where it should be but not quite. However, he was improving and the doctor had said he would be moved into a room later that day.
After lunch, Mac was moved into a private room although he was not conscious yet. He could be monitored from there. As soon as they could, Danny and Don went into the room. The others were off on a case. "I'm glad we can come in here at the same time," Danny said.
"Me too," Don agreed. "I feel like I'm talking to myself when I come in alone."
They walked over to Mac's bed. "At least he doesn't look so pale today," Don remarked.
"Yeah, he looked pretty bad yesterday," Danny said. He touched Mac's forehead. "He feels warm today."
"Hey, Mac, we need you to wake up. Things aren't the same without you."
"That's true. We don't have anyone to talk to the chief for us. We have to go and talk to him ourselves."
"Yeah, that's right. I don't like going to the chief's office."
They sat down and watched Mac a few minutes. "You think that lawsuit will blow over?" Danny asked.
"It should," Don replied. "We have a legitimate reason."
"Yeah. I just wish Mac was awake so he could help us with that."
"You know, he might want to retire some day and we will have to handle this kind of stuff ourselves."
Danny shook his head. "I hope that is a long time from now."
"Me too."
Jo came to the hospital later that day after they had worked on their new case a while. Danny had gone home to rest and Don had to get out and round up some criminals. Jo walked into Mac's room. "Good afternoon," she said. "Are you going to wake up and talk to me this time?" She watched Mac a moment for the slightest movement. "I think you're just trying to get some rest." She had brought her dinner with her since she could not go home yet. "I hope you can smell this." She opened the lid and held it close to Mac so if he could, he would smell it. "Oh, this is going to taste so good. It's too bad you're not awake, I would let you have a bite."
Jo took a bite of her dinner and made comments about how good it was just hoping that Mac was on the edge of consciousness and might hear her. "So, what have you been doing all day?" she asked and smiled. "I'm sorry if that sounds rude. I know you've been sleeping all day. I've been out working on a case and worrying about you and worrying about Ellie. She's having all these problems at school. Nothing serious but she just…well, she's a teenager, you know. Those years are just not easy no matter how you look at it. I left the case in the hands of Lindsey and Sheldon. I wanted to come down here and see you, even though you're not talking to me. Can't you just smell this food?" Jo ate for a moment and then looked at Mac. She wished he would move or something. "At least you don't look so pale today. You were looking pretty white yesterday. We come from that generation who likes a tan, you know. I never liked trying to get a tan. It was just hot and I never got much anyway and then I would wind up with a burn." Jo shook her head. "Seemed like a lot of nonsense and a waste of time. There were a lot of things to do besides lay out there in the sun."
Mac thought he could hear Jo talking but she sounded far away. He felt as though he was looked way out at a point of light and it seemed like a tremendous effort to try and reach it. He thought he smelled food too and he definitely heard Jo talking. He thought she could always think of something to say. He was not sure why he could not respond to her but he was so tired he just did not feel like talking.
Jo finished eating and then she moved over to the side of Mac's bed. She leaned close to him. She thought she would try something else to see if he would wake up. "Mac Taylor, I think you are one of the sexiest men I have ever seen," she said and waited a moment. She put her hands on her hips. "Well, if that didn't wake you up, I guess you're not going to wake up right now." She caressed his face. "Wake up soon. We miss you." She kissed his forehead and then got her purse. "I have to get going. You hang in there and get your strength back and come back to us."
That evening, Don was yawning as he walked into the hospital. He had to go home tonight and get some sleep, but he wanted to see Mac first. He walked into the room and over to Mac's bed. "Well, you're looking better this evening," he said in his cheerful way.
To Don's surprise, Mac opened his eyes. Don leaned over to make sure he was not just imagining it. "Hey!" he said. "You're awake."
"You're loud," Mac said groggily.
"Has anybody else seen you awake?"
Mac considered that. "I don't know." He was about to fall asleep again.
"It's good to see you awake, Mac."
Mac nodded slightly but then he was asleep again. Don was happy now and he called to let the others know that Mac had been awake and had talked a little. Jo was so excited, she blurted it out loud enough that everyone could hear her at once. There was a big cheer in the lab about that.
The next morning, Mac was awake when the others came in to see him. "It is so good to see you awake," Jo said with a smile. She kissed him on the cheek.
Lindsay walked over to the bed and kissed him as well. "Hey, you get a lot of kisses when you're sick," Don said.
Mac smiled. He was not sure what to say. He felt like he had been asleep forever. "What happened with the case?" he asked.
"We got the three guys who did this to you," Danny said. "They were also indicted for those three murders but we couldn't tie Eddie Waddle and John Gordon to it."
Mac absorbed that a moment. "So they get away with it," he said.
"Well, we got the ones who participated in the actual act," Don said.
"And the art was returned to where it belongs already," Jo added. "And the treasures will be on display at the museum for everyone to see. Manicotti's family is protesting that, saying they should be part of the estate…I don't know."
Mac shrugged slightly. "Maybe they should," he said and then he coughed a little. He grimaced as that hurt.
"Have they given you something for that cough?" Sheldon asked.
"I haven't coughed until now."
"Well, if you keep doing that, they should give you something. How has your fever been?"
"I still had fever today but they said it wasn't as high as before."
"Good."
Mac was in the hospital for a week and then he had therapy to build his strength back up. He thought he would not need that long because he was feeling much better. He felt a slight pain where that knife had gone in…it reminded him of the pain he had felt when he was stabbed. He remembered the guy twisting that knife. He rubbed his side as he thought of that. He knew he had come close to death but he had made it out. He wanted to do better than that from now on. He would not go after suspects without backup.
The next weekend, Mac went over to the Green Tree bar to pay a visit. He walked over to the bar and leaned on it as he had done so many times. "Mac Taylor!" Scotty exclaimed. He shook Mac's hand. "It's good to see you out."
"It's good to be out," Mac replied.
"Your drink is on the house tonight. Anything you want."
Mac smiled. "I'll take a limeade."
Scotty laughed and went to get the drink. "You're something, Taylor." He set the drink on the bar.
"Hey, I like what I like." Mac looked toward the pool room. "Is Wes in there?"
"Yes, I think he is."
Mac nodded and then headed for the game room. Wes was standing at the pool table. He smiled as he saw Mac. "Hey, are you ready to get beat again?" he asked.
"I might be," Mac said. He shook Wes's hand. "Thanks for saving my life."
"Aw, I didn't have nothing to do with that."
"You helped. I appreciate it."
"Well, I'm sure you would save mine if it came down to it."
Mac nodded. "I would." He looked at the pool table. "Are you having any luck?"
"No, but I probably will now that you're here."
Mac looked at him. "Are you saying I'm a bad pool player?" he asked.
"Yeah."
Mac could not help but laugh although it still hurt a little. Then he saw Don Flack walk in. "Since when do you hang around here?" Mac asked.
"Oh I thought I would just mosey in here and see what goes on," Don said.
"Well, I'm about to lose a pool match…or that's what he tells me."
"Hey, I'll stay and watch."
Mac was glad he was alive to be there and play that pool match…