Part 10

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air as Harry and Cassy drove back to the station after leaving the restaurant. Neither of them had been able to finish even half of the food they'd ordered. Meaningless chitchat had been the only conversation during the meal, much as it was on the drive over. Cassy could feel the guilt radiating from her commanding officer. Finally, she could stand the silence no longer. "It's not your fault. You know it, and so do we."

Harry kept his eyes on the road ahead, not willing to let Cassy see the truth reflected in them. "I don't know what you're talking about, St. John." The chill in his tone left no doubt in Cassy's mind that she'd hit the nail on the head.

"Look, Harry, I don't blame you for this any more than Tom's blaming you. There's only one person responsible for what's happened, and that's the lunatic who's doing all this. Blaming yourself won't help us get Tom back."

Frost again bathed his words. "I'm doing everything humanly possible to get your partner back. The only one talking about blame here is you, Sergeant."

"Would you just stop it, Harry! We don't have time for these games. If you're not blaming yourself, then why won't you even look at me?" she demanded.

He couldn't deny it any longer. It was true. He'd been unable to look her in the eye ever since the photos had shown up. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words would come so he just shook his head.

Cassy reached over and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "It'll be all right, Harry, you'll see. We are going to find him, and he's going to be just fine. He has to be."

As they pulled into the parking lot at the station, Harry spoke for the first time since Cassy's confrontation. "I'm gonna check up on a few things here. You should be going home now. Until this guy is caught, I don't want you staying alone. Anyone in particular you want for a roommate? I'm posting a car outside, but I want someone inside with you as well."

"Harry, I don't need a baby-sitter. I can take care of myself. You can put the car outside if it makes you feel better, but I'm not having anyone in my house."

Harry peered out over the top of his eyeglass frame at the stubborn detective. "The subject is not open to discussion, St. John. There will be someone inside with you, like it or not. So who's it gonna be? You choose or I'll do it for you. And I promise you, you won't like my selection."

Cassy knew that she wasn't going to win the argument, but she could think of only one person she would trust this much. She turned to Harry, tears welling up and threatening to spill. "I need a little time on this one. I'll finish up a few more things, too, and let you know, okay?"

Harry patted her arm and nodded in understanding. "Let's go see what's come in while we were gone."

Harry found several phone messages waiting upon his return. Heading into his office, he removed his jacket and sat down to return the calls. He picked up the phone and glanced over for the number on the first message. His breath caught as he noticed another plain brown envelope on the edge of his desk. Hands shaking, he replaced the receiver in its cradle and picked up the envelope. Inside was another photo accompanied by a letter. The photo showed an unconscious Tom sitting cuffed to a chair. Blood covered one side of his head and trailed down the side of his neck onto his chest. Scrawled across the bottom in the now-familiar hand were the words 'Little Jack Hoerner sat in a corner...'

Cassy appeared in Harry's doorway after noticing the captain's expression. "What's going on? Is it about Tom?" Noting his unsteady hands, she approached the desk. She gasped upon catching sight of the photo Harry had put aside. "What's that you have? What does it say?"

Harry slowly read the letter out loud, fear mixing with his anger. "You are responsible for my son being taken away from me, so now I have taken yours from you. Jack is dead because of you. So your son will die slowly, a prisoner, like my Jack did. Think about it, as I do every night, what happens to a man in prison. ALL the things that happen. This is what your son will experience. Never forget--YOU DID THIS TO HIM! Signed, Georgie."

*************

Tom fought his way through the drug haze back to consciousness. He tried to reach his hand to his aching head, but found himself again restrained. Confusion reigned as he whispered, "What...where?"

Dr. Leonard's voice pierced the fog. "Just lay back and relax. You're okay; it's just the effects of the drug. Try not to fight it."

Reality came crashing back to the detective. He found himself cuffed hand and foot to the cot unable to move any of his limbs more than a few inches. His head ached abominably and the room spun with even the slightest movement. His mouth felt as if it was full of cotton. His shoulder was stiff and sore; the stitches itched and burned. "How long?" was all he could manage to get out.

The doctor had settled back into the chair that Tom had previously occupied. "It's been a while. I'm sorry, but I have strict instructions not to discuss any specific details of time with you. I am to inform you that you will have answers to your questions very soon. Until then, you should try to rest. You're going to need all your strength."

Dr. Leonard's last words sent chills down Tom's spine. He pretended to relax and take the doctor's advice. He contemplated his options. He could wait and hope for Harry and Cassy to find and rescue him. He labeled this one the last resort, fearing he wouldn't be able to hold out long enough. Escape was next on the list. He quickly calculated that the odds of this succeeding were better with only one captor present. And that the odds were better still if the only captor were the one presently in the room with him. Making his decision, Tom let out a soft moan. "Any chance of using the little boys' room?"

Glancing furtively at the closed door, Dr. Leonard paused a moment before answering. "All right. Just make it quick. I'm really not supposed to let you up." He then reached over and undid the restraints.

Tom sat slowly, waiting for the dizziness to pass. He made his way over to the corner bathroom and took care of business, giving every appearance of being the cooperative captive. He cupped his hands and took a long drink from the sink before starting back towards the cot. Suddenly, Tom swayed as if dizziness were again overtaking him. The doctor was quickly next to him, placing one arm around Tom's waist to assist him back to the cot. Tom offered a mental apology and drove his elbow as hard as he could into the good doctor's stomach. Unprepared for the sudden blow, Dr. Leonard doubled over in pain, unable to catch his breath. Tom clasped both hands and brought them down hard across the base of the man's skull. He stumbled to the door and turned the knob. Sending up a silent prayer of thanks at finding it unlocked he carefully opened the door. The hallway was long and narrow, and quite brightly lit. Looking to his right, the hallway dead-ended. At the other end was a door. He flattened himself against the wall as best he could, and made his way to the door. When he was still several feet from his destination, Tom heard footsteps approaching from the other side. The Air Conditioning Man had returned.

End Part 10

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