“I don't know. I don't think so. He just sort of dropped.” CJ didn't want to admit that he was too busy trying to choke the life out of Hamilton to notice anything that was going on around him. He vaguely remembered hearing Mark tell him to stop and trying to pull him away. Why hadn't he listened? Did he really think he could just kill someone in cold blood with his bare hands. Flexing his fingers, he studied his hands. What kind of person was he? He looked at his father, who seemed to be in some kind of silent battle with Hamilton. Or maybe he was thinking. His expression didn't give much away, and CJ thought of the things he knew his dad was capable of. Had he ever killed a man? CJ already had the blood of two men on his hands, but both times, it had been in self-defense or defense of another. This time, the threat had been over.
Blanche pointed to the stun gun. “How strong is one of those? What kind of voltage are we looking at?
“I don't know. Tom told me he modified it.” CJ glared at Tom, who appeared to have regained control of his emotions and looked at Mark with disinterest.
“Well?” Blanche directed her question to Tom.
“Well what?”
“What kind of shock does that thing deliver?”
“Oh, he'll be all right. Sheridan was fine and he got it a couple of times.” He smirked at CJ.
The anger started to bubble again and CJ tensed. His dad pressed a hand to CJ's chest. “We'll deal with him. Go sit down out there in the lobby. Let me take care of this.”
“I was about to leave on my own before y'all showed up. I don't need anyone to take care of it. I don't need you to come and save my ass all the time!”
Even as the words tumbled out, CJ wanted to cast a net, catch them, and pull them back in, but it was as if a stranger was spewing forth the angry tirade. He didn't know where the resentment came from. Why was he aiming his anger at his dad? His breath came in ragged gasps, his nostrils flaring as he stared into his dad's eyes.
His dad held his gaze, his expression calm. CJ blinked, his head bowed as he blew out a long, harsh breath. He willed his hands to open, his fingers stiff from being balled into tight fists. What was wrong with him? He'd been happy to see everyone at first, but anger, guilt and fatigue muddled with his emotions. And fear. Fear of what he might have become if Mark hadn't stopped him. Or tried to stop him.
His dad nodded. “I know. It's okay. I want to handle this.”
Blanche watched the exchange and CJ's face burned to have her witness his turmoil, but she merely nodded agreement with his father's suggestion. CJ backed away, but couldn't completely give in, and stood just inside the lobby, a yard or so from Mark's feet.
Jessie had frisked and cuffed Tom, and held his biceps, but she kept giving Mark anxious glances. CJ opened his mouth to apologize to her, but she didn't look at him. Instead, she caught his dad's eye, then motioned to Hamilton. “What about him?”
“What about me? I'm the injured party here.”
His dad had put his weapon away, the threat contained, but he pinned Hamilton with a withering look. He jabbed his two fingers at Hamilton, stopping just short of poking the man in the chest. “Here’s what's going to happen. Those charges against my son? They're not happening. And here's why. You forget all about this,” he swept the fingers in a motion to encompass the building, “and we'll consider forgetting about the last two days when you illegally held my son and beat the living shit out of him.”
“You're out of your mind. I can already feel the bruises.” He winced as he rubbed his throat. “And that's not all. Your son is a suspect in a murder investigation.”
“I didn't kill anyone, Dad.”
“I know you didn't”
“We have your gun with your prints on it. And when the autopsy is done, and ballistics run, I'm sure it'll show that the bullet came from your gun.”
“You took my gun and at the time, Cruz hadn't been shot yet. Your guys might have killed him when they zapped him with a gun like Tom used on me and Mark.”
Hamilton shook his head. “The evidence will tell the story.”
“Yeah, it'll tell the story you planted.” CJ crowded in, part of him wishing he'd had thirty more seconds with Hamilton before Mark had stopped him. He clenched his hands in an effort to contain his fury.
His dad edged between him and Hamilton, bringing his arm up to block CJ.
Shaking the arm off, CJ tried to go around him, but someone grabbed his shoulder from behind. He turned and saw Wayan Cooper.
“Easy, Sheridan. You're only gonna make it worse.”
“You! You're part of this. You brought me to Hamilton the other day. Has he paid you off, too? I’m sure Tom’s on his payroll?”
Cooper ignored CJ's accusation. “Come on, man. Just calm down.”
He didn't want to, but he shook off Cooper's hold and held his hands up to show he was under control. “I’m not gonna do anything stupid.”
Hamilton pointed at CJ, directing his comment to CJ's dad. “See? He's a hothead. Probably murdered Cruz during some argument. I would be shirking my duty, and a dirty cop if I agreed to drop charges.”
“Fine. It's your call. It'll give me a good reason to start an investigation into what has been going on at this building. See, we know my son isn't the only one who’s been the victim of shady interrogation practices. Now, you can try to bring this to court, but after what CJ went through, no jury in the country will convict him and you might find charges filed against you. You're lucky he is hot-headed and fought back. It's the only reason I might consider not opening an investigation. My son has too much going on to deal with that kind of shit.”
Hamilton's face darkened, but after a quick, hate-filled look at CJ, he nodded. “Deal. But you have to let my guy go, too.” He motioned to Tom.
His dad glared at Tom. “You ever come near my son again, or anyone else I know…”
Mark moaned and Jessie pushed Tom aside, and to CJ's surprise, Cooper took Tom by the arm, telling him to shut up when he whined about brutality. Cooper held up a key for the handcuffs, and CJ’s dad nodded, then turned his attention to Mark.
Jessie knelt beside Mark. “Hey there. Mark? Can you open your eyes?” She ran a hand down his cheek and his eyes blinked open.
He looked up at everyone looking down at him and started to sit up, but scrunched his eyes closed and groaned as he fell back. “I think I’m gonna puke.”
Everyone except Jessie and Blanche took a step or two back, and Mark opened his eyes, taking in the widening circle around him, and gave them a sickly smile. “Wow. I have to remember that trick when I need to get through a crowd fast.”
He raised his hand, but it tangled in the wire and he flinched. “What the hell hit me?” He made a face and reached up again, more slowly this time, feeling for the wire and followed it down to the side of his neck. Before Blanche could stop him, he yanked on the wire, giving a grunt as the probe popped free. “Ouch.”
Blanche bent to examine the small wound. “Luckily for you, it didn't hit your jugular, or carotid artery, or you'd be spurting everywhere, and I'd be trying to hold pressure.”
“Yeah. Luck is practically my middle name. Ask anyone.”
Chapter Sixteen
Jim assisted Blanche and Jessie in helping Mark to his feet even over his protests that he didn't need any help.
“How are you feeling?” CJ's guilt and remorse were readily apparent in the way he came forward to offer Mark his shoulder even though he had to be exhausted. “I'm so sorry, Mark. I guess I lost my head.”
“It's okay. I have an idea of what you've been going through.” He pulled his hand from his neck and looked at the bloody smudge. “Although I hadn't planned on experiencing it quite so literally.” He shot CJ a grin and Jim breathed a sigh of relief. Mark could have been angry and probably had a right to be, but his vision of what CJ endured earlier had clued him in to what had happened to Jim's son.
As if the vision wasn't enough, one look at CJ would show anyone that he'd been through something pretty
bad. In fact, he made a note to get a picture of his son once they were outside in the daylight. If Hamilton ever went back on his word, or if Jim's investigation ever came to court, he wanted evidence of what had happened. He added to his note. An official medical report. A trip to the ER was in CJ's near future. It wouldn't hurt. He was probably fine, but he sure didn't look it. His eyes were red rimmed, his jaw shadowed, and his lips dry and cracked. The livid bruises on his jaw and cheek only added to the look of a victim. An X-Ray or two was probably in order, but he'd let the doctor decide that.
As Mark took an unsteady step towards the door, Jim decided the two of them could make the trip together. Jessica had already suggested it to Mark and had been shot down, but Jim had a feeling he could get the guy there.
Before he did any of that though, he wanted pictures of the room where CJ had been held. Dan had a camera in his vehicle and returned. “You want me to get some photos?”
“Hey, wait a second. I didn't agree to any photos.”
Dan smiled. “I don't think you get a vote in this. Am I right, Special Agent Sheridan?”
Jim nodded. “I want pictures of everything in that room, the stun gun, the probe that came out of Mark, and then when you're done, I want you to meet us in the parking lot to get pictures of Mark's neck, CJ's wrists, face, and—” He broke off. “Any other injuries I should know about?”
CJ started to shake his head no, but then stopped and lifted his t-shirt. Jim's jaw clenched at the bruises decorating his son's rib cage. He'd guess from the shape, they came from a vicious kick or two. He glanced down at Tom's feet. Steel-toed boots. The bastard. Tom caught him inspecting his shoes and shuffled behind Hamilton as if he could hide the evidence. Jim gestured towards Tom's feet. “And right there. Get one of his shoes.”
“Will do, sir.”
The rest of Jim's group left the building, with Jim hanging back to make sure Dan got access. Hamilton stood, his arms crossed, but he didn't object when Dan took the photos. Satisfied, Jim left the building and jogged to catch up to the group. Blanche had an arm around CJ, and Jessica the same with Mark. Jim shook his head. What a ragtag group.
Wayan Cooper stood by his squad car, his hand resting on the door handle, but he didn't open the door. He looked unsure of himself and Jim realized he'd put the young cop in an awkward position. He strode up to him. “I appreciate your help. What district did you say you're out of?”
The officer told him and Jim nodded. “I'm going to call your lieutenant and let him know that I had needed your assistance with an investigation. I don't want you getting any flak from your superiors.”
“Thank you, sir. I didn't really do much though.”
Jim shook his head, his hands on his waist, pushing his suitcoat back. “Not much? Do you have a son?”
“No, sir.”
“Well, maybe someday you will, and then you'll understand exactly what you did today, but until then, just know that I won't forget how you stuck your neck out to help me—to help my son out.” Jim extended his hand. Cooper took it, and gave it a firm shake. Then Cooper waved to CJ. “Take it easy, man.”
CJ paused, his expression still wary, but he nodded. “Thanks. You too.”
Jim moved to the driver's side of his car and found that Blanche and Jessica had switched cars. Blanche opting to ride with Jim and CJ, while Jessica drove Mark's vehicle. It made sense. Mark was in no shape to drive, and she was obviously still worried about him. Jim opened his driver's door and leaned in. “Hey, I want to wait to make sure Dan gets the photos, but first, I'm going to go tell Jessica something. Be right back.”
“Okay, Dad.” CJ sat in back with Blanche, and rested his head against the seat.
Jim crossed to Mark's Jeep, circling to the driver's side. “Jessica. You're taking him in to get checked out, right?”
She grimaced. “He's refusing.”
“I'm fine. Sheesh. You're worse than my mother, Jim.”
“Humor me, would you? Besides, I need to get CJ seen, and he's going to make a fuss too. If I can tell him you're going, he might relent. He's been through enough. I really don't want to use the dad card if I don't have to.”
“Great. But it doesn't stop you from throwing the guilt card down on me, does it?”
“Not at all.” Jim almost smiled. “Seriously, Mark. It wouldn't hurt for you to be seen, and CJ needs to. He looks terrible.”
“Okay. Fine. But you're paying my deductible.”
Jim smiled. “Deal.” He and Jessica then agreed to go to the hospital where Blanche worked.
Dan was waiting for Jim at his car. “They'll need to stand out in the light. Sorry.”
“Oh crap. I wasn't thinking.” Jim turned and waved to Mark, motioning for him to get out of the car. He did so. Slowly and with a loud groan. Then Jim opened his door and made the same request of CJ. The task was completed with a lot of grumbling from both men, but Jim and Dan ignored it. When done, Dan handed him the memory card. “Just give it back to me after you transfer the photos to your own computer.
“Thanks, Dan.” Jim pocketed the small square and got in the car. “I know you're exhausted, CJ, and just want to get home, but hopefully Blanche can help speed things along at the ER.”
She nodded. “I have connections.”
CJ chuckled. “Yeah. And they all know me by name there. I think they have my file on stand-by.”
* * *
At the hospital, Jim paced the room. CJ had been seen by the doctor already, and tests had been run, X-rays taken, and at the moment, CJ was hooked up to an I.V. to restore some fluids. He dozed on the gurney. Blanche had gone out to the nurse's station to hound the doctor about the test results. Jim sighed. He was exhausted. How many more times could he go through something like this? For the first time, he really felt for what Mark's parents had gone through. Sure, he'd known intellectually that Mark's disappearance had to be hard for them to deal with, but he hadn't actually imagined what it would be like. He had only had to deal with it for a few days and he'd been ready to go crazy.
At least he never had to worry that his son was guilty of the accusations thrown at him. What if he didn't know about the camera? What if CJ somehow had the power before meeting Mark? Would Jim have believed him? If Hamilton had come to him with the exact same evidence, would he assume his son was guilty?
Jim shook his head. He didn't think he would, and he knew Mark's father had been skeptical, but they never really knew what Mark had been accused of. Everything had been so hush-hush that his parents had been in the dark about most of it.
CJ stirred on the gurney, rubbing a hand against his nose. Jim approached the bed, ready to sit on the chair beside it, but CJ opened his eyes, glanced around, and his eyebrows rose in question.
“She's out getting the scoop from the doctor.”
CJ nodded. He closed his eyes and Jim thought he was going back to sleep, but instead, he opened his eyes again. “I'm sorry, Dad. I caused you a lot of trouble since I've been here. Maybe I should take the camera back to D.C. I could probably get one of my friends to help out or something.”
“First of all, you didn't cause trouble. Trouble just finds you.” Jim chuckled, but the distress on CJ's face cut it short. “Chris, listen, as your father, all of this scares the hell out of me, but also, as your father, I couldn't be more proud of what you're becoming. Have you made mistakes? Of course. So have I. So has Mark.”
CJ's eyes opened wide at the last sentence. It was obvious he didn't think Mark made many mistakes, but with a hint of a smile, CJ scooted higher on the gurney. “You called me, Chris. Now I know you must really be worried.”
Jim nodded. “You'll always be 'Chris' to me, but I'm trying to remember to use your initials.”
“It's okay. I just wish I knew what I was doing. Just when I think I've got a handle on it all, something like this happens and I screw up. How long did it take for Mark to figure it all out?”
The question made Jim shake his head. “I know you look up to Mark,
and you should, but the man isn't perfect. He's screwed up with the camera—more than once. The thing is, he kept picking himself up and tackling it again and again. I see that same persistence in you. And me…I'm just the man who's in a position to help both of you out from time to time. There's no FBI manual on how to do that.”
“I could use a manual. Hell, I'd settle for a leaflet on what I'm supposed to do. Like, I should have told you what my photos showed before going out the other morning. It was really early though, and you were going running that morning. I thought it wouldn't be too hard to prevent because I figured it was a mugging or something. I have to learn to examine the photos and dreams for something deeper.”
“Well, you're young.” Jim held up a hand when he saw protest rise up in CJ's eyes. “I don't mean that as a knock, just a fact. You don't yet have the experience to look deeper into issues, but you will. Give yourself time and don't beat yourself up.”
“Yeah. Guess I don't have to beat myself up because there seems to be no shortage of people who'll do it for me.” CJ gave him a wry smile as he touched his bruised face.
Jim laughed at that. He couldn't help it. “Good thing you have the Sheridan toughness.” He was so relieved to see CJ dealing with the situation with resiliency and humor. But now, he needed to get serious and find out exactly what happened. He sighed. “I know they were trying to get some kind of confession out of you about murdering a police officer. I know you had nothing to do with it, but do you have any idea what any of it was about? Why did they pick you? Just because you were there when they took the officer?”
CJ gave Jim a surprised look. “How did you know I was there?”
Capture: A Crime Thriller (CJ Sheridan Thrillers Book 2) Page 16