Tony and Bruce stood at the nose of the trailer watching the rescue squad loading Peter into the ambulance. The State Patrol Officer that had taken their reports, turned after a lengthy conversation with the injured driver of the vehicle in the ditch. He started toward them not showing any signs of what was about to happen to them or the load.
"I guess Peter wasn't so angelic after all ay, Bruce?" Tony mumbled as they watched the ambulance attendants load the man into the back.
"No, I was wrong about that." Bruce looked down feeling a bit foolish now.
"Hey, don't sweat it man. I had the same thought myself when I first met 'im. I just didn't give it that much thought when it passed through my mind. And, there's nothin' wrong with hopin', prayin', all that stuff." he tried to console his dear friend seeing the emotions cross his face time and again.
"Yeah, but I'm more practical than this, Tony. I guess I was hopin' too much."
"Not a prob. You know better with me."
"Yeah. We'd better get on the other side of the truck. He's comin'."
The tall dark complected officer moved in their direction with a purposeful gate. Tony and Bruce moved around the truck, and stepped back to the grass as the man came around the nose of the truck.
"Okay guys..." he had his hand on the microphone on his shoulder listening to the scratchy radio voice that was speaking to him. It was difficult to make out what was being said as he kept his voice down. It appeared there was a conspiracy about to take place as the two stood by feeling helpless and vulnerable at the moment.
"...Your stories all checked out. You might want to thank the blonde for being honest enough to tell me the truth. Anyway, your stories collaborated with his. Now..." the man stepped closer guiding the two men further onto the grass as the state driver came to get the trailer and the load.
"They want you to keep your truck. And your boss asked my boss if we would hold the load for him until he can get another driver out here to get it and carry it on to Deming."
"What about Jonathan?" Bruce asked seriously.
"Yes, the boy..." the officer sighed heavily. "...I'm not even supposed to tell you where he's going. But after talking to the Russian guy, and my boss, I'll do more than give you directions to the hospital he's headed to. His uncle is all up in the air trying to claim you boys kidnapped his nephew--"
"That lyin' sack o'--" Tony growled, but was cut off by the officer.
"Hold on, now. The Russian told me everything, alright. I understand your frustration. But the boy has to go back with his uncle until they resolve their issues."
"But the issues are that his uncle was beating and raping him, and then he was sellin' the kid for sexual favors!" Tony barked.
The officer stared at him now. "You know, if I hadn't talked to the Russian, I wouldn't believe that right now. But it seems I recall a case that was thrown out for lack of evidence in Arizona recently. Alright, I'll tell you what. My hands are tied as far as the boy's concerned. His uncle is flying in tomorrow to get him. I'm not supposed to tell you that either. But you didn't hear it from me."
"No, we haven't heard a word." Tony grinned.
"Well, it also seems that my boss is real chummy with your boss..." he motioned a hand to Tony. "You were assigned to protect the kid. So, I've got some respect for you, sir. Especially, being you've kept him alive and well for so many months now, and all the crap you've been through with this scenario. He said to put you up at a motel just down the street from the hospital. So, if you'll get in the truck we'll head that way."
As they climbed back into the truck, Tony knew that Ben had something up his sleeve. He understood by that, he would be making a private call to his boss and find out what his next mission is.
"God, I think the shit is about to hit the fan." Bruce commented as they followed the officer back east.
"Yep, and whatever happens, Bruce, we really need to be rested and fresh. It may be that Ben wants us to sneak the kid out undercover. So, I really need you to pay attention and do what I tell ya. If you miss one detail, it could ruin it for all of us." he admonished.
"I realize this, Tony. And you know I wouldn't screw this up for the world. I want the kid back." he complained.
"I know, and we'll get 'im back no matter what." the man persisted.
"Good." Bruce nodded in agreement.
*****
"Tony, we have no jurisdiction there. All I can do is sit back and ride it out." Ben was telling him over the phone.
"That total bullshit, Ben and you know it!" he argued. "After all the time and energy we've put into this kid and yer just gonna turn yer back and walk away. It's personal now. I'll get the kid with yer help or not." he claimed vehemently.
"I thought you'd say that, Tony." Ben chuckled. "So, this is what I want you to do..."
*****
A blonde man stepped off the elevator into the lobby of the fourth floor of the hospital. His lengthy hair was tied back into a tight ponytail. He had on a white lab jacket with a security badge hanging from the front pocket. With shades on that adjusted to the light he meandered down the hallway whistling a peppy tune. Pushing a wheelchair before him, he made his way to the nurse's station.
"Hello, ladies..." he stopped leaning on the counter.
"Well, hello..." one of them grinned admirably at him. Her eyes seemed to devour him almost lewdly.
"How are all you fine lovely nurses tonight?" he poured on the charm fairly thick.
"Oh, just peachy, honey. What can we do for ya?" she asked seeming to be the head nurse of the shift.
"I'm supposed to come collect the bullet wound in four-twelve for an MRI." he explained.
"I thought that was scheduled for in the morning." she piped then.
Tony looked at his watch. "Well, my boss said to come get 'im. He said somethin' 'bout the doctor might have to do an exploratory early this morning' and wanted this done already." he explained further.
"I remember that." one of the other nursed spoke up then. "That's right... Dr. Jones needs that MRI earlier in case he has to go in earlier." she concurred with Tony's story."
"You see..." he perked watching the woman realizing she was a team player then, as she winked at him quickly and discretely.
"Okay..." the head nurse agreed to let him pass. "...But you strap that youngin' in that thing good. His uncle is comin' in the morning' and I don't want to explain to him that some lazy orderly let 'im fall out of a chair on his way to get an MRI." she fussed.
"Yes, ma'am..." he nodded respectfully at her rank alone. "...I'll be sure I do that, just for you." he smiled pushing the chair along to the room. Inwardly he seethed trying to control it. He reminded himself that the woman knew nothing about him and his expertise in the field.
A rental cop was sitting outside the room just a couple doors down from the station. He had been listening in on the conversation and opened the door for Tony to go in.
Tony moved up beside the bed. Pulling the blanket back off Jonathan's body, he deflated the balloon removing the catheter from his penis. Taking hold of the I.V. bag, he placed it on the hook that jutted up from the chair.
Then he put the railing down lifting the youth in his arms. Placing him into the chair, he strapped him in tight. A blanket was thrown over his legs and tucked around his arms to keep his body temperature in.
