Chapter 80

While Woody had been in his life and death chase to capture Palmer and rescue Riley, both Mac and Jordan had been undergoing surgery for what Palmer had done to them. The stake he had stabbed Mac with had been impaled so deeply that it had actually come out her back. The doctors had closely studied the X-rays to see the best way to remove it without causing more damage. The stake had punctured her lung as well as nicking one of the arteries to her heart. The surgery had taken many hours to repair the damage, but she was young and healthy, the doctors were hopeful that she would make a full recovery. However, Woody had been told later that if he hadn't acted as quickly as he had at the graveyard and hadn't stayed with her until help arrived as he had, she would have died.

Jordan's gunshot would was much less severe. The bullet had hit no major organs or blood vessels. So, while Jordan's injury was painful, as soon as she was out of surgery she had been on the road to recovery. Unlike Mac, who had been in intensive care since her stabbing, and had just been moved to a regular room where she could finally have visitors.

Woody had called Jordan's father and his mother as soon as he had gotten to the hospital and found out Jordan was still in surgery. Her father and his new bride had arrived shortly thereafter, and although Woody hadn't known it at the time, his mother was making plans to fly to Boston.

Upon Evelyn's arrival that evening she had a short visit with Jordan who was still groggy from the anesthetic. Then she had asked for the key to the apartment, took a cab to Max's house, gathered up her grandson and taken him home so he could sleep in his own bed after a most traumatic day. She informed them that she intended to stay until Jordan was home and able to manage on her own again. Both Woody and Jordan were glad of this.

They learned that Palmer was alive. However, the damage to his shoulder was so extensive that although the surgeon had been able to save his arm, it would be almost totally useless for the rest of his days.

Jordan was on her way home when word came down that they could finally see Mac. Her doctors had only agreed to discharge her if she stayed off work for another seven days and it would be a couple more weeks after that before she could drive again. Between Garrett, Lily, and Woody they had all promised to see that she got to work on time. That caused a bit of good natured griping, but she was ready to agree to anything to get out of the hospital and home to her husband and baby.

Admiral Chegwidden had stayed in town while Mac was in ICU, keeping in touch with Harm, who he had left in charge of the office until he could get back. Harm was both satisfied and displeased to hear that Palmer had finally been caught. Satisfied that this man was once again behind bards, but displeased that he hadn't been the one to bring him down after all Palmer had done to him. Harm did have a fleeting thought that Palmer had escaped prison twice before, but this time he was so injured that it was unlikely to happen…he hoped!

AJ had just finished showering after taking a run around the park near his hotel when the hospital called to inform him that Mac was at last stable and was being transferred out of ICU. He dressed quickly and headed to the hospital.

He entered Mac's room to find her awake and dying to know what had happened. "The staff around here won't tell me anything!" she complained.

Before he could answer her the door opened and Woody pushed the still grumbling Jordan into the room. Although she kept insisting she was fine, it was hospital policy that every patient being released had to be taken out in a wheelchair.

Mac was shocked to see Jordan in the chair and a splint on Woody's nose. She demanded to know what had happened. Woody told her it was all part of the Palmer saga. AJ's chuckle stalled Woody from saying more. All eyes turned to the Admiral for an explanation and he said, "I won't ruin the story, but I have to tell you that I talked to Harm, and he is very upset that he wasn't a part of it!"

With an exasperated sigh Mac insisted, "All I want to know is, did we get him?!"

To be continued…