Chapter 5: Waiting

The parking lot was full of cop cars and flashing lights. Men in police uniforms were walking around the parking lot shining their flashlights on the ground.

"The'th-ey'v've al-al read-d-y-y d-done th-at-at t-ten tim-times," Erin's voice was still shaking. BJ pulled his daughter closer. He could still feel her trembling under his arms.

"Better to be safe than sorry," he stated, but he was as frustrated as his daughter. It had been twenty minutes since he had received Erin's distraught call. That was twenty minutes that Flag could…He didn't want to think about it. He looked over his shoulder to see Trapper talking to the chief of police. The man's face was completely white and he appeared to be fighting back tears. He had no idea how his friend was able to keep himself together. If it had been his daughter…Another thought he didn't want to think about. He pulled Erin closer, having no intention of letting go.

Hawkeye walked out of the hospital. His knees felt like Jello, and they would collapse at any moment. He saw Trapper talking to the police chief to go and offer his friend support, but there was something else he needed to do first. BJ and Erin were standing only a couple hundred yards away. He walked over to them.

"Peg's on the phone," he told BJ. "She wants to talk to both of you."

BJ nodded his head.

"Did you call everybody?" BJ asked.

"The clinics going to have quite a phone bill," Hawkeye answered.

"Margaret and Conner?" BJ asked.

"They're going to go down to Texas to stay with her parents for as long as need be. I hate when she goes down there and Conner's going to miss school, but I feel better if…"

"Hawk, its okay," BJ responded.

"I know that they're hundreds of miles away and he couldn't possibly get that far…"

"Hawk, I know."

"I hate being stupid this, but if anything…."

"HAWK!" BJ yelled.

"Sorry, "he stated sheepishly. A small smile cracked his lips. "Did you know the kid was ready to hop on a flight from Iowa to come aid in the investigation?"

"What did Potter say?" BJ asked, glad of the change of subject

"Said that its lucky he's a thousand miles away, otherwise he'd have the city in flames trying to find them right now."

"Bet he would too," BJ answered. "despite the fact that he can barely walk." "Everyone says they'll be on the lookout and they send their concern. We're supposed to let them know as soon as anything happens."

"Dad, Mom's going to be pitching a fit if you don't go talk to her now," Erin interrupted.

"Alright hon, let's go." BJ did not remove his arm from his daughter's shoulders. Hawkeye watched them walk inside. The poor kid must be sacred out of her mind. She never would have let him to that otherwise. He had a feeling that they both needed the closeness right now. He wondered if Conner would let him to the same. He would make him. He looked over at Trapper and was instantly concerned. The man's cheeks were getting red. He was at his boiling point.

"Doctor Pierce?" A voice stated behind him.

Hawkeye turned to see a good looking young man standing behind him.

"Yes?" he asked.

"I know this isn't the best circumstances, but I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Blake Saunders. I'm the one that helped Ms. Hunnicut dial the house." His voice shook slightly.

Hawkeye smiled, slightly and held out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Trapper's talked about you a couple of times. He seems to think you've got talent."

"I don't know about that," Saunders blushed.

"Hey kid, I've known Dr. McIntyre a long time and he isn't free with his praise, especially of other doctors. He's got this high and mighty opinion of himself. Thinks he best doctor in on the Coast.

"Funny, he said the same thing about you."

"Really?" Hawkeye asked a glint in his eye. "What else has the good doctor said?"

"Blake sensed that he was in a trap.

"Oh… Well…"

"What the hell are you talking about? You should be combing the streets looking for her!"

Both men turned suddenly when they heard Trapper yell.

"Listen Blake, I think I better go…"

"Yeah, I understand. I saw when he got angry with one of the mucky-mucks on the Board of Directors. It wasn't a pretty sight."

Hawkeye turned on his heel and walked over to police car.

"What's the problem?" Hawkeye asked, standing beside Trapper and putting a restraining hand on his shoulder.

"And you are?" the cop asked. The man stood up barely stood up to Hawkeye's shoulder, and had to look up to ask the question. The layers of fat on the back of his neck rolled together when he did.

"Does it matter?" Hawkeye asked. "I want to know what you are doing to find Kathy and Dr. Winchester."

"This is top secret investigation," the man stated. "Only family members are allowed to know the details."

This was all Trapper could take. He shrugged off Hawkeye's arm.

"Top Secret Investigation!! Why the hell does this need to be secret? You should be broadcasting it everywhere in the city! Is anybody out there looking for my little girl right now?"

"Doctor McIntyre, you need to calm down. If you can't control yourself, we will have to keep the details of this investigation from you."

Hawkeye could feel Trapper tense next to him. He prepared to step in front of the man who was preparing to lunge at the cop.

"Uncle Trapper, I need you for a second!"

Trapper turned around to see Erin standing in the doorway to the clinic. Caught off guard, he stumbled over feet, but managed to keep his balance.

"I'll be right there honey," he called. He glared at the police chief. "I'll be right back."

Hawkeye let out a huge sigh. Erin couldn't have planned it better.

"His is absolutely out of control! I tell you, one more peep out of him and…"The man was murmuring under his breath.

"Do you have kids, Mr…" Hawkeye asked.

"Chief Warren," The man answered, "and no, I'm not married."

"When you know what it feels like to have your child missing, then you can have the right to tell a father to calm down," Hawkeye stated, his voice iced with disdain.

"I am the chief of police! I will not be threatened," The man growled.

"Then I suggest you get some of your people out searching for them," Hawkeye stated.

"I've already three squad cars combing the streets," The man answered, his voice dangerously low.

"Double it," Hawkeye stated.

"Look Mister….I do not take orders from a civilian. I am responsible for…"

"I will not be responsible for my actions if there is so much a bruise on either Kat or Charles!" Hawkeye answered back.

"You have no authority here," Warren challenged. "This investigation is mine, and nobody is going to tell me what to do."

"This is what I think of your authority, you Pig!" Hawkeye stated coolly. Before Warren knew what hit him, he was on the ground clutching his bloody nose. There was a dazed look in his eyes.

"Did you ever think of enlisting in the army?" Hawkeye said evenly. "I bet you could find a lot of friends just like you there." He walked away from the man who was still lying on the ground. He looked up and saw that everyone was looking at him.

"Enjoy the show?" he asked with a crooked smile. He walked over to where BJ, Trapper and Erin were standing.

"Did that accomplish anything?" BJ asked, shaking his head.

"No, but it felt good." Hawkeye responded, the sighed. "But I think I think I just made things harder for all of us. Sorry, Trap."

"If you hadn't done it, I would have." Trapper's voice sounded tired.. "I don't think I can sit around and wait like this. Not knowing anything…."

Erin stepped in front of the man and hugged him hard.

"They'll be okay," she stated. "I know they will be."

Trapper gratefully returned the embrace.

"Thanks Squirt," he responded.

"Doctor Macintyre, can I have a word?"

Trapper looked up and saw a tall, red haired man in a uniform standing in front of him. His voice was calm. Trapper let go of Erin, feeling a little more relaxed. He nodded his head. Hawkeye also took a step forward.

"Dr, Pierce," the man acknowledged.

BJ watched as the two men followed the police officer. Trapper appeared to be more relaxed then he was a few minutes ago.

He kissed Erin on top of the head.

"Good girl," he whispered in her ear.

"I'm Sergeant Brady," the cop introduced himself and offered his hand. The two men shook it hesitantly. "I guess you could say I'm second in command of this mess."

"Hope you're better than your boss," Hawkeye stated, looking over at the man who was being helped up by a few of the officers.

The man chose to ignore the comment.

"I thought I'd give you're the rundown on what's happening. I just ordered six more cars to search the immediate area. If they don't find anything, they'll keep on moving out. My partner and I just got done interviewing Doctor Freidman. It seems like we're dealing with an interesting character."

"He's not so interesting when he's got my little girl," Trapper growled.

"Sorry Doctor, I wasn't trying to joke. Apparently you've had experiences with him during the war. What do you think he's capable of?"

"The man thought he was the damn wind and threw himself out of window," Hawkeye scoffed. "Does that give you an idea?"

"If you could rank Holleran's intelligence on a scale of one to ten, what would it be?"

"How is this relevant?" Trapper asked.

"I'm just trying to get an idea of the man we're dealing with. I have Doctor Friedman's opinion, now I'm trying to get yours.

"I thought the man was a paranoid idiot, but after what Sidney said, I don't know," Trapper answered with a sigh.

"Dr. Friedman says a lot of what will happen is going to deal with the personality who took Doctor Whinchester and Kathy." Brady answered. "We're hoping he slips up. Winchester has dealt with the man before?"

"Yeah," Hawkeye stated. "Managed to pull one over his head."

"That could work to our advantage," Brady mused. "He might figure outsmart Hollaran, or whatever he calls himself."

"And if he doesn't?" Trapper asked.

Brady paused and looked kindly at the two men.

"Look, why don't the two of you go home? There's nothing else you can really do here."

"No," Trapper stated firmly.

"What if Kathy tries to call?" Brady asked. "Don't you want to be there if she does?"

"He's got a point Trap," Hawkeye stated.

"I don't know," Trapper sighed. "I don't know what to do anymore."

"I promise to let you know if anything happens. There will be close contact between me and the officers at your house. Besides, I think Dr. Friedman would like to talk to you."

"About what?'

"Well, you know Flagg better than anyone. You've got a better chance of finding him than any of us."

"Are you suggesting what I think you are?' Hawkeye asked.

"I'm not suggesting anything Doctor Pierce. All I know that if my kids were missing, I'd be tearing the city apart looking for them."

"Brady, get over here!!" Warren called.

Brady cringed.

"It was nice to see that guy get kicked in the ass," he chuckled. "I bet the brass just loved you when you were in the army."

"We were on speaking terms often," Hawkeye smiled.

"I'll bet," Brady smiled and walked away.

The two men watched him go. BJ walked over.

"What was that about?" he asked.

"I think we just hired to play Sherlock Holmes," Hawkeye stated.

Trapper turned around looked out across the city.

"How are we going to find them out there?' he sighed, dejectedly.

"We'll find them Trap," BJ stated firmly. "Charles will take care of her."

"If I know Kat, she's already trying to figure a way out."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Trapper answered.