Revenge Chapter 13
Later that morning Don approaches the desk of Special Agent Lucy Dobson.
"Agent Dobson?"
Lucy turns and to look up at Don.
"Hello, Agent Eppes what can I do for you?"
"Well, I'm sure you have heard about what happened to Agent Reeves last night."
Lucy nods grimly.
"It's horrible. And to answer your next question, yes my team leader did tell me I'd be assisting on this case. I checked with the hospital and they advised me that getting a statement from Agent Reeves should wait until tomorrow."
Don nods his agreement.
"We have more then enough with out pushing her."
Lucy nods.
"So, then what can I do to help?"
Don takes a deep breath and hands her some files.
"We weren't very prepared the last time we went after Ray and we're paying for it now. I don't want that to happen again. I need a full profile of Ray, his personality, his motivations everything. I also need one on his brother, a Lt. Sam Galuski of Chicago IL. He appears to be at the very least helping his brother. I need to understand him before I speak with him."
Lucy nods taking the files.
"Right away."
"Thanks."
oooOooo
Sam Galuski pulls tiredly into the driveway of his modest home his body worn from a long shift his mind and nerves strained from the emotional call from his mother who lives with him. He sighs tiredly as he climbs out of his car and makes his way slowly to the house.
"Just what kind of mess have you made this time, kid."
He enters the house and hears his mother chatting happily and can smell her delicious cooking wafting through the house. He makes his way to the kitchen as he listens to what is being said.
"Here, Ray darling have some more you must be so hungry from your trip! Now don't you worry I called Sam he'll be home soon and he'll fix this mess."
At this point Sam enters.
"And just what mess am I fixing this time."
"Oh good you're home! Sam, Ray is being harassed again!"
Sam raises his eyebrows and looks hard at his brother who is sitting happily at the kitchen table eating.
"Oh, is that what we're calling it these day?"
"Samuel Mark Galuski don't you dare make light of your brother's miss fortunes! It is not his fault that his extraordinary mind makes him vulnerable to gold digging hussies who when they don't get what they want try and ruin him!"
Ray looks at his brother with his most victimized look.
"I'm sorry Sam, I don't mean to bother you. I tried to handle it myself. I told her no and to leave me alone but when I wouldn't she decided to turn the tables and make me look like the bad guy. I just have the worst luck. But it's not your problem I'll leave if you want."
Mrs. Galuski runs to Ray and throws her arms around him.
"You most certainly will not leave! We are your family and family takes care of there own! And you have nothing to apologize for! You have an amazing gift and it makes you a target that is not your fault! And as your big brother Sam will defend you!"
She glares disapprovingly at Sam.
"Won't you Samuel!"
Sam rubs his forehead as he collects his thoughts.
"Yes, mother, I always do."
She comes over to Sam and looks at him hard.
"Don't you give us that put upon attitude of yours. He is your brother and that makes him your responsibility! Your father is gone and that leaves you the man of the house! And as such you will care for this family! You know, maybe if you were special like your brother you'd have a better understanding for all he has to deal with!"
She shakes her head disapprovingly then goes back over to Ray and hugs him tightly.
"Now, baby can I get you anything else to eat?"
Ray smiles at her.
"No, Mom this is more then enough thank you."
She kisses his head and smiles at him.
"Oh honey no thanks needed. Now, I'm going to go put clean sheets on your bed, so it'll be all ready for you once you're done eating."
"Thanks Mom you're the best."
She smiles and goes on upstairs. Ray looks over at Sam smugly.
oooOooo
In Megan's room Larry who was discharged earlier is sitting at her side holding her hand in his as she rests. Suddenly her breathing becomes rapid. Larry squeezes her hand reassuringly.
"Megan? Honey?"
He gently reaches up and strokes her face hoping to sooth her.
"Wake up my love."
Her eyes pop open wide and dart around the room as a look of panic spreads across her face. Larry is at once on his feet talking to her gently as he leans over so he's directly in her line of sight.
"It's all right, my dear one, it's okay. You are safe. You're at the hospital, no one is going to hurt you, you're all right. Everything is going to be all right. I'm right here, no one is going to hurt you."
Megan looks at him as his words of love slowly penetrate her panicked mind. Her breathing slows and as she tries to speak and finds her voice has slowly begun to return as a weak whisper emerges.
"Larry…"
Larry breathes a sigh of relief that she can speak once more.
"I'm right here my darling."
"Hold me…please."
A tear slides town her cheek that and the broken sound of her voice is nearly Larry's undoing. Reminding himself he must be strong Larry simply nods as he slides onto the bed.
"Of course my dear."
He gently and lovingly wraps her in his arms and holds her to his chest.
"For you the world."
oooOooo
Millie and Alan are walking through the halls of the hospital carrying the food and flowers for Megan.
"Charlie said it's room 425."
As they board the elevator Millie looks at Alan seriously.
"Alan, as much as I know you want to run in there and give her a big hug, you really can't. Not after what's just happened to her. Many rape victims don't like being touched especially by men, no matter who they are. And if she still can't communicate, well then…"
Alan nods as they step off the elevator.
"Millie I only want to help. I'll let her and Larry tell me what is and isn't okay."
oooOooo
Back at the FBI Colby and David are going over evidence.
"This Sam Galuski's got some history."
David turns to look at Colby.
"Yeah?"
Colby nods as he summarizes what he's found.
"He spent his growing up years moving through the ranks of the Boy Scouts, was a life guard at a local swimming pool for five summers in a row, served as a camp councilor at a day camp for troubled kids all through college, moved up through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department, works with troubled and at risk kids at a local community center, is a member of big brothers big sisters, volunteers regularly at a local soup kitchen… I mean, this guy's going for saint hood or something."
David snorts.
"Or something is more like it considering he may be helping Ray."
"So, the question is why would such a good guy on paper be involved in something like this?"
Don comes over at this point.
"Let me tell you, little brother's can be strong motivators. But in all honesty we don't know how involved he actually is yet."
David nods.
"You got Agent Dobson working on profiling him right?"
"Yeah, I want to get a clearer picture of what I'm dealing with before I move forward."
Just then Colby's phone rings he grabs it quickly.
"Granger?"
"Hi Colby, it's Bonnie. Listen, I just heard about Agent Reeves, how is she?"
"Banged up but okay. She's tough, I'm sure she'll pull through."
"Are you working the case?"
"Yeah, but we are getting help from another team."
"That's good. Listen, if you need to cancel tonight I'll understand."
"As of right now tonight is still fine but I'll let you know okay?"
"Okay, sounds good."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Don smirks as Colby hangs up the phone.
"Was that the infamous Bonnie?"
Colby blushes.
"Yeah, we have a date for tonight, but…"
"I think you should be able to make it."
Don then checks his watch.
"Okay, I'm going to go over to the hospital and check on Megan, call me if you hear anything."
David nods.
"You got it."
"Tell her we said hi and she better hurry back."
Don nods as he moves off.
oooOooo
In Megan's room at the hospital Alan is busily arranging the flowers on the table by her bed while Millie stands off to the side and Larry stays sitting on the bed holding Megan's hand.
"I hope you like pink roses. Margaret always told me nothing brightens a lady's room like roses, and according to Millie pink is the appropriate color."
Megan gives Alan a weak smile and whispers as loudly as she can manage.
"Thank you."
Larry nods and smiles.
"The roses are beautiful Alan. And I must say the smells coming from that bag Millie is holding are highly appealing."
"Well, aside from holding the bag I can take no credit. Alan was up bright and early cooking."
Alan takes the bag from Millie and carefully lifts the platter of bread and the huge Tupperware container of soup from the bag.
"I thought some home made chicken noodle soup along with some honey banana bread would at the very least be better then hospital food."
Megan smiles and manages a slight nod causing her and Larry to sigh in relief, as it appears the drug is releasing its hold. Alan then pulls out a paper bowl and plate along with silverware.
"Would you like some now?"
Megan looks at Larry who leans in as she whispers.
"Not so sure I can manage the bread yet but the soup sounds good."
Larry nods then looks at Alan.
"Maybe just a little of the soup her muscles are still pretty weak."
Alan nods as he begins to serve up the soup Millie then clears her throat.
"Larry, can I speak with you in the hall for a minute?"
Larry looks at Megan to gage her feelings and notes her apprehensive expression.
"It's okay."
Larry raises his eyebrow at her.
"I dare say your words and the look on your face do not seem to be in agreement on this issue."
Megan half laughs as a tear runs out of the corner or her eye Larry gently wipes it away with his thumb continuing to look at her worriedly.
"I want it to be okay. I don't want to feel like this."
Larry leans in and gently takes her face in his hands.
"The mysteries of space will not be explained in a day and you are not going to heal in a day. Yes, it would be wonderful if you did but it's just not the case. This does not make you weak or any other nonsense that you might be thinking, it simply makes you human."
Megan gives him a trembling smile.
"I know, but I don't have to like it, and I don't have to give in to it."
Larry smiles.
"No, you most certainly don't."
He looks at Millie.
"I presume whatever you are wishing to discuss will not take long?"
"Less, then five minutes you have my word. And if you like we'll leave the door open so Megan can see us."
Larry considers this then looks at Megan who nods slightly.
"It's okay, Larry, really."
He nods and kisses her softly on the forehead then looks at Alan.
"She'll probably need help with the soup."
Alan nods.
"Don't worry. I fed Margaret when she was sick, this shouldn't be a problem."
Larry nods then looks back at Megan.
"I'll be right out side darling."
"Okay."
Larry and Millie then leave as Alan begins to help Megan eat her soup. As soon as they are in the hall Millie turns to Larry.
"How is she really?"
Larry sighs as he runs his hands through his hair.
"Physically she should be fine and as you can see the drug is wearing off. As for mentally? It's hard to say. She hasn't had a problem with me touching her and in fact seems to want me to hold her. And she certainly seems comfortable with Alan being in the room. At the same time she is having nightmares and when someone she doesn't know comes in or wants to give her something she becomes agitated. She also appears apprehensive about being alone with men besides me. So, all things considered I guess how you might expect."
Millie nods.
"Considering a good number of rape victims won't even allow men they knows to get close, and she is, well I'd say she's doing remarkably well."
Larry smiles sadly.
"She's a remarkable woman."
Millie nods.
"Larry, I just want you to know that you have the full support of CalSci behind you. I'm assuming you're going to want to take some time off to look after her?"
Larry nods.
"That is my plan, yes."
"Well, I made some phone calls before we came and I can give you paid leave for the rest of this semester and for the summer school session. So, about six months."
Larry smiles gratefully.
"Thank you Millie, that should be more then sufficient."
"I'm just sorry I can't do more. Larry you do know that I'm trying to get the hiring practices at CalSci changed right?"
Larry nods.
"Millie, I do not blame lax hiring methods for what's transpired. Ray Galuski is the only one to blame. Should CalSci have done more of a background check? Perhaps, but it was not a malicious over sight and I will not hold the University responsible. Although, should there be a board meeting to discuss changing the hiring practices I shall gladly speak."
"Good. The more professors who speak out the better."
"Than I shall."
oooOooo
Inside the room Alan is helping Megan eat while trying to limit any actual physical contact.
"You know, the last time I fed one of my kids it was when Charlie broke both of his arms riding that damn bike because as usual he hadn't been looking where he was going."
Megan lets out a soft chuckle then looks at him questioningly.
"One of your kids?"
Alan smiles at her gently.
"Megan, you are very much like a daughter to me. I love you and most certainly do see you as one of my kids."
Megan smiles with tears in her eyes.
"I couldn't ask for a better Dad."
Alan smiles.
"Well, I'm glad the feeling is mutual. You know, I will always be here for you."
"Yeah, I know."
He looks at her wanting nothing more then to give her a hug but doesn't want to upset her.
"May I hug you?"
"I'd like that."
Alan puts the soup aside and gathers her gently into a fatherly embrace.