Chapter 5

"Agent Larabee I didn't..." Darrell trailed off as the blond rushed from the office.

"Chris what's..." Buck called as Larabee came from his office.

"Not now Buck," Chris snapped. "Vin?"

"He was headed for the stairs," Buck replied.

Without another word Chris raced towards the stairs. He needed to catch up to Vin before he left the building. The younger man was in no state to be driving.

In the bullpen the remaining members of the seven exchanged concerned glances. As one they moved to Chris' office. "What did you say to Vin?" Buck demanded as the team entered the office.

"I'm afraid I can't divulge that information," Darrell replied. He was relieved that his voice didn't tremble in fear.

"Agent Price I believe it would serve your interest to be more forthcoming in your responses."

Darrell gave the southerner a blank look.

"Talk," Josiah rumbled in a tone that brooked no argument.

"Gentlemen I understand that you're concerned for your friend but honestly I can't tell you anything. The information I shared with Agent Tanner is confidential."

"It's pretty obvious that whatever you told him has Vin pretty upset," Nathan said.

"It does, understandably so," Darrell conceded. "That doesn't change the fact that the information is confidential."

"Vin's our friend, we just want to help him," JD put in.

"So you want me to violate your friend's privacy?"

The five exchanged sheepish looks. None of them had thought of it like that. "Reckon we'll have to ask Vin or Chris."

"Where do you propose we find them brother Buck?"

Buck scratched his chin. "There's plenty of places they could go. If Chris caught up to him they'll probably head out to the ranch. If he didn't well, there just ain't no telling where Vin went."

"So we go to the ranch then?" JD asked.

"They'll likely show up there sooner of later," was Nathan's opinion.

Darrell cleared his throat, bringing their attention back to him. "Agent Wilmington," he said handing a card to the taller man. "could you give this to Agent Tanner. I really do need to further discuss this with him. While there is good reason to resolve this quickly the timetable is up to Agent Tanner, would you tell him that?" Darrell really did feel bad about dropping the information on the young agent the way he had. He could easily imagine the sort of turmoil Tanner was experiencing at the moment. He only hoped, for the sake of all involved, that the man would call him sooner rather than later. In the meantime he would continue to investigate in the hopes of learning more about how Brock McKenna had come to be adopted by Cynthia Tanner.

"I'll tell him," Buck replied. There was a part of him that wanted to toss the card in the trash. Whatever was going on had to be bad if it had Vin Tanner running, but Buck knew ignoring it, whatever it was, wouldn't help and might hurt.

"Vin wait," Chris called as the younger man opened the door to his jeep. In spite of leaving the office only seconds behind him, Chris had seen no sign of Vin. He had, however, heard him as he raced down the stairs ahead of him. Hearing the door into the garage slamming open he had put on a burst of speed; he needed to catch Vin before he got behind the wheel.

Vin froze, the desperate tone of his friend's voice stopping him in his tracks. As he stood there, one hand on the door handle, he began to shake.

Within seconds Chris reached his friend. Laying a hand on Vin's back he was surprised to feel the slim body shaking, though whether it was adrenaline or emotions causing it he didn't know.

"I can't stay here Chris, don't ask me to," Vin whispered.

"We'll go wherever you want Vin."

"We?" Vin turned to him. "I don't need a babysitter Larabee," he growled.

"I'm not going to let you drive Vin, not right now," Chris firmly informed his friend. "We can talk if you want Vin, or not, but you're in no condition to drive."

Vin nodded, he knew Chris was right, he was entirely too distracted. "Your ranch?"

"You know the boys will probably show up out there soon," Chris warned him.

"That's okay, I wasn't planning on staying."

"Trail ride?"

"Yeah."

"Want company?"

Vin shrugged. "I'll let you know when we get there."

Chris nodded, "Good enough."

Darrell Price arrived at the local FBI office a short time after leaving the ATF. Plopping himself into a seat he scrubbed a hand over his face. With a heavy sigh he picked up the phone and dialed.

"McKenna Outfitters."

"Jack McKenna please," Darrell requested.

"This is Jack."

"Mr. McKenna my name is Darrell Price. I'm the FBI agent currently working your son's case."

"Have you talked to him?" Jack anxiously asked.

"I have," Darrell confirmed. "He didn't take the news very well I'm afraid."

Jack closed his eyes. He didn't know what he had expected. The name might be different now but the man was still a McKenna and Jack knew he wouldn't have easily accepted such news, why should he expect anything different from his son. "I guess I should have expected that."

"I'm sorry Mr. McKenna."

Jack could hear the sincerity in the agent's voice. "Not your fault. So now what?"

"I left my card with one of his co-workers with the message that the timetable is up to Agent Tanner. In the meantime I'll dig deeper, see if I can find out just how he ended up as the son of Cynthia Tanner."

Jack nodded. "Do you think she had anything to do with the kidnapping?" God he hoped not. It would be hard enough for his son to accept the truth, finding out the woman he'd called mother had helped steal him from his family would make it a hundred times worse.

"I don't think so, though I could be wrong. Hopefully I'll know more by the time your son contacts me again."

"How long do you think it'll be?"

Darrell sighed. "I don't know Mr. McKenna, I wish I could tell you. His team seems to be pretty protective of him. The truth is they acted more like a family than simply co-workers. Maybe with that kind of support system he'll be ready to listen sooner rather than later. I'll keep you informed, I promise."

"Thank you Agent Price," Jack said. "When you talk to my son again would you tell him," Jack swallowed hard past the lump in his throat. "Tell him I love him and I never stopped looking for him."

"I'll tell him Mr. McKenna," Darrell promised.

TBC...

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