Chapter 45

"Where is it?" Mac demanded, going over to the woman on the ground.

"Let me up and I'll tell you!" Vicky countered.

Seeing her purse on the desk, Mac dumped the contents out looking for the antidote. Vicky laughed and shouted, "You fool do you really think that I would bring an antidote if I wanted him dead?"

"Why isn't he moving? You don't have him tied? And if you wanted him dead why isn't he already?" Mac questioned.

"You're supposed to be the smart lawyer type…why don't you just figure it out!"

Knowing she needed to get a straight answer out of Vicky, Mac stood over her and said, "Private, if she doesn't answer my questions, shoot her!"

"I can't do that Ma'am! It wouldn't be legal!"

Smiling evilly, Vicky asked, "Don't you just hate honorable men? Well in this case a boy…I'm sure he'll grow out of it."

Placing her foot on Vicky's neck, Mac told her, "I've killed before and will again unless you tell me what you've done to him."

"I KNEW you were in love with him! I could see it in your eyes!" Vicky sneered.

"Well you should be able to see death not love in my eyes now. What have you done to AJ?"

"Oh relax, I just gave him something to paralyze him. I wanted him completely alert when I slit his wrists. Speaking of death…why aren't you dead?"

It was Mac's turn to sneer at the other woman, "I don't think you're as good as you think you are, Ms. Frazier. You've failed several times now to kill AJ and myself."

"Don't worry, I'll get the both of you…I've killed others, and will come after you both when I get out of prison. I always find a way!"

"You won't make it 'til the police arrive if you don't tell me how to reverse what you did to him!"

"The toxin only lasts an hour, he should be coming out of it soon."

"Keep an eye on her, I'm going to call for back up," Mac told the Private as she turned to the phone.

"Isn't it a little late for back up?" the Private muttered.

Calling the police and paramedics, Mac once again knelt by AJ's side when she was assured that they'd be there as quickly as possible. Taking his hand and squeezing it, she told him, "Help is on the way." She might have imagined it, but she thought she felt the tiniest pressure of his hand returning the squeeze.

Mac told the Private to let Dammit out the back door when the rescue arrived. She didn't want the dog under foot. She gave the police her statement and told them AJ would come in and do the same as soon as he was able. The paramedics had examined him and informed her they were going to take him to the hospital. A firm, "No!" came from the man who hadn't moved a muscle since Mac had gotten there.

"AJ, they need to take you in to treat you," Mac informed him.

Once again he gave her a firm, "No!" this time accompanied a slight shake of his head.

"Ma'am if your husband refuses transport, we can't take him in, but he'll need to sign a form saying he refused.

She was just about to protest that she wasn't AJ's wife, when he told her, "You sign!"

Hearing this, the paramedic handed Mac the form and she reluctantly signed it. As she handed it back he told her, "You'll need to watch him carefully until this wears off."

Nodding she told him, "I'll take care of him."

After everyone but the Private was gone, Mac told him that he could go too. With a look at the Admiral, the young man got a confirming nod and left. Mac told AJ that she would be gone just a few minutes and went to the mudroom. She let Dammit back in after cleaning up the mess there and fed her. Returning to AJ in time to hear his stomach growl, she muttered a curse and said, "I hope you have something in the fridge that I can warm up. You know I can't cook and pizza places don't deliver at this hour."

With an indulgent smile he told her, "There's some chili in there that you could reheat."

"Will you be able to eat it, or should I feed you?" she asked with concern.

Slowly getting to his feet he said, "I think I could manage to feed myself."

"Oh good, then I shouldn't have to put you to bed either!"

To be continued…..