(Athena)
Athena scoured every square inch of the apartment, hoping, praying, to find some clue of what Lawrence did with Buck. She practically tore the place apart, conversing with her colleagues from the various divisions to make sure she checked every possible hiding location. She learned everything about Lawrence down to his hygiene habits and how he took his coffee—much too fancy for her tastes. None of it helped her locate him or gave her a hint of where to find Buck.
One hour turned into two turned into three, became half her shift. Athena's frustration mounted. How could a man possess so much knowledge of another, express very little about himself, and make them both disappear?
While she searched, pausing every time the radio buzzed and a message came across the airwaves, in the back of her mind worry for Bobby's state of mind grew. How long before he drinks? Where is his threshold? Will I know the signs? If he falls off the wagon will he be gone foe good or will I be able to coax him back, to save him? Her brain fed her memories of how Bobby reacted, how obsessed he became with figuring out what happened to Wendell, and though Wendell was important to him and played a big role in his sobriety since coming to California, Buck possessed a bigger chunk of Bobby. He helped to fill the hole left behind by Bobby's real children.
It seemed every time she turned around she asked herself what if I can't find him? What if she failed to find him in time? The lives changed, the hearts broken, the unasked questions every time she met their gazes, how would she face it?
When Athena exhausted all avenues in Lawrence's apartment she returned to where they found Buck's Jeep, combed the area, wondering if they overlooked something. Like a beat cop she pounded the pavement going from business to business, asking questions already asked more than once. An Invisible deadline, an imaginary dead man's noose began to tighten around her psyche.
"Breathe Athena."
At the same time the voice penetrated her cascade of thoughts and worries a hand landed gently on her shoulder. Lost in herself both made Athena jump, her gaze snapping up from the half eaten sandwich on her desk to meet the eyes of Elaine.
"Breathe," she repeated. "You need to remember to breathe. I understand the weight you feel, remember the whole of Los Angeles, the police force, is on the lookout for anything and everything to do with Buck and Lawrence."
The clock on her computer hinted her shift ended soon. She'd done all she possibly could, turning up absolutely nothing, and returned to stew at her desk. Elaine pulled a chair over and placed a hand on Athena's arm. "Have you considered taking a few days off?"
Athena scoffed.
It brought a smile to Elaine's face. "I kind of figured. Just be careful, okay? I don't want you working yourself into the ground."
"We've got to be missing something right? I mean, I get people vanish everyday without a trace, but how did this guy get away with this and absolutely no one saw anything, no one knows his plans. It's obvious he executed a kidnapping with holding facility already in place. How is it that no one has seen anything suspicious, questioned abnormal activity somewhere?"
"All valid thoughts."
Athena rubbed her brow, then sighed and slumped back in her chair. "I suppose I should give myself a break."
"Yes, and as I've stated before, if I hear anything you'll be the first one I contact. You have my word."
She managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Elaine. Bobby's shift starts soon. Maybe I'll run by one of our favorite restaurants for some takeout, surprise him in his office."
"Checking up on him?"
"Absolutely. Plus, I think we can both use a little distraction." In a moment of vulnerability she told Elaine about finding Bobby pouring over the tape of Lawrence getting out of Buck's Jeep, how he broke down wishing it were him instead.
Athena set to straightening up her desk as Elaine stood, returning her chair to where it belonged. Their radios crackled and they froze, listening to the report coming through from a u informed officer. A jogger spied a man sitting on a bench, head slumped toward his chest, and got suspicious. The adrenaline began to pump into Athena's bloodstream and yet again that night she made eye contact with Elaine. The description of the body matched Lawrence, but could it be that simple? Had the universe just granted a miracle?
Her heart rate notched up a few degrees.
Elaine fished a set of keys from her pocket.
"Do you think?"
Athena was about to find out.
XxXxXxX
Athena stopped outside the firehouse letting out a measured breath I an attempt to relax her nerves. Her stomach was all twisted and knotted, her mouth verging on dry. She glanced momentarily at the night sky, or at least what passed for it in Los Angeles, wishing it gave her the answer on how best to tell Bobby what she'd learned. In the end it would be like ripping off a Band-Aid, the best move being to just tell him. Composing yourself, she entered her husband's domain.
I wish I had dinner. I wish I was here with different news. For a different reason.
As she strolled by the shiny firetrucks, hands on her utility belt, she held her head high and kept her back straight, looking more confident than she felt. Before she made it to the stairs leading to the loft Bobby stepped into view, his eyebrows raised at the sight of her.
"Athena? Sweetheart, what are you doing here? Is everything OK?"
Instead of a verbal answer she shook her head.
"Did…. Did you find him?"
Motion caught her eye drawing her gaze upward to find the rest of the 118 gathered near the railing of the loft. Whether she wanted it or not her news now had an audience.
"Athena, please, was there a development?" Bobby closed the distance between them.
With her husband within arms reach Athena caught the scent of his aftershave, felt his warmth, and wanted everything to gather him close, to feel his heart beating against her own. She settled for placing a hand on his arm.
Keeping her voice low. She explained to him about the call that came in nearly three hours ago and what they discovered. A jogger found Lawrence Ray, what was left of him anyway, sitting on a bench with his chin slumped towards his chest. Deceased. By doings of his own. As she spoke of the man's passing she saw a flash of sadness in Bobby's eyes, most likely blaming himself for another life lost, while also noting the grim set of his lips.
A beat or two passed before he found his voice. "What does this mean for Buck? How do we find him when the only person who knew where he was is dead?"
Much to Athena's surprise she felt the burn of tears in the back of her eyes, hating the rest of what she had to say to Bobby. "Lawrence had a note with him."
"A note?"
"Yes. A note. He blames you for taking those he held most precious and wishes to destroy you the same way." As she read those words her mind questioned, why Buck, not me? Only to be greeted with the answer, with a mad man's reasoning. "He considered taking me but settled on Buck realizing losing him would break you as well as those around you ruining-"
"Both of my families," Bobby finished.
Athena nodded. Is my lip trembling? She momentarily looked away, blinking furiously to keep the tears at bay.
"Is that all it said?"
"No," the word popped out almost a whisper. She let her hand slide down his arm until her fingers met his, entwining, and gave his hand to squeeze. "Bobby, he mentioned Buck being hurt, alive but hurt. However, the note went on to explain how a bleeding injured man is going to get thirsty and how one of the bottles of water provided will be his undoing."
"What does that mean?"
"We found a bottle of warfarin on his body," Athena said letting the final ball drop.
"Of course, he has Buck's medical history," Bobby said, letting go of her hand. She wanted to keep hold of him, yearned to be his tether, to keep him grounded. He took a step back, and then another, shaking his head, brow furrowed. The implications of her words, of Lawrence Ray's actions sinking in.
The man responsible for Buck's disappearance was dead and gone taking all his knowledge with him. Left in his wake was a ticking time bomb involving an injured man and blood thinner laced water.