SILENT FOOTSTEPS

By: Hardygirls

Chapter Three.

Disclaimer: None of this belongs to me except for some OC’s – I take them out, we play – then tired and happy I send them home...

A/N: I am humbled; humbled beyond belief by the generous and thoughtful feedback I’ve received on the first two chapters; I can’t tell you enough what a boost it is to have people like you give such encouragement. “The Watcher” is not dead either, he’s still watching, and chapters are written but not finished blushes but they will be sooner rather than later and I apologize for making any of you feel like you’ve invested in a story going nowhere. I know what it feels like and I so hate it when I find something I like then see the updates have ground to a halt.

-00-

Ezra Collig had almost reached the Hardy home when he saw Frank pulling out in his rental car, presumably heading for work. Pulling over, he made a quick decision to wait a moment for Frank to get well in front of him. It had been a snap judgment; he’d actually been about to drop in on the boys to see how they were doing after the obvious stress of the previous evening. His gut told him they’d have been fine, but he couldn’t help but feel protective towards the two young sleuths.

It couldn’t hurt to make a quick stop to say hello at the station now could it? He muttered to himself.

As Frank’s car became smaller and smaller in the distance, Ezra Collig eased back onto the street and leisurely drove the same route he had for almost thirty years. He barely had to think about it anymore. It was just as well, as his full attention was now on the dark blue sedan in front of him.

Traffic was light as he reached the business district of Bayport, and he was surprised that Frank was also caught by the same red light, some ten cars up from him, leading the traffic.

As he waited for the light to change, the retired police chief fanned himself; the air conditioning had been playing up for a while now but with summer almost over it had gone on to the list of “things to do” when the weather cooled a little. He waited as patiently as he could which admittedly was more patiently than most - and once again ran the previous days happenings through his mind.

The tooting and blaring of horns pulled him from his thoughts. His anxiety rose several notches seeing that the light was now green but Frank’s car was still holding up the traffic. With his stomach sinking quickly and his thoughts vainly hoping it was just a breakdown he scrambled from his car and headed forward, past the now seething drivers that were shaking their fists, and describing all sorts of persuasive methods to get the “guy in front” to move. Passing a car well known to him he interrupted the abuse coming from the man’s mouth by saying a quick “G’morning Sid” and continued on. He didn’t need to look back to see the abrupt change in his neighbor of many years’ demeanor.

Ezra reached Frank’s car, his heart beating strongly. A passerby had his head in the window, and Ezra jolted him when he grabbed him by the shoulder. Without platitudes he pulled him away from the window and leaned in, ignoring the frustrated “hey!” the man blustered at him.

Frank Hardy slumped lifelessly in the drivers seat, seat belt still fastened, head lolled to one side. Ezra dug for a pulse, gritting his teeth when his fingers slid in the blood oozing down Frank’s neck. His own heart almost stopped beating when he felt a heartbeat; he could have collapsed right there in the street himself.

Where there’s life there’s hope he kept repeating in his mind, not letting himself think that this sudden attack might be one Frank would lose.

“Has someone called an ambulance?” he roared at the growing crowd of vultures that were dressed as neat onlookers. The sound of sirens approaching answered his question.

A squad car pulled up beside him. “Chief! – what are you doing here?” a surprised patrolman asked.

“Don’t worry about that now! – get over here and get this crowd under control!”

Within minutes things became more normal, by a policeman’s standard anyway. A member of the force had started directing traffic around the stationary vehicle and patrolmen kept the onlookers from getting to close. All the while Ezra stayed with Frank, not letting anyone else get close until the paramedics arrived. He concentrated on the throbbing of Frank’s pulse and continued talking quietly and urgently to the non-responsive man.

-00-

Joe’s phone buzzed on the table beside his coffee cup and he snatched it up quickly. Seeing the caller he was surprised, frowning at Harry and Fox as he answered.

“Yeah” he answered abruptly.

“You’re brother’s just been hit, don’t know how bad it is, the chief’s on the job.”

“When? Where? I’m on my way.” Joe was on his feet in a split second making Harry come around to stand beside him his arms crossed tightly, listening for some clue to Joe’s sudden angst. Joe’s body language was all he needed to know something had happened to Frank.

“Stay put I’ve got it covered, I’ll be in touch.” The caller told him before the line went dead.

Joe snapped his phone shut and stood up, running his hands through his hair brusquely.

“Spill Joe, what’s happened?” Harry urged, tight lipped.

“Frank’s been hit; Pallan doesn’t know how bad, he said to stay put, the chief’s there already.”

Fox let out a low whistle. “Things are starting to hot up…” The buzzing of his phone stopped any further conversation.

“Yeah…, we know, how is he?... doesn’t matter, can you ride with him? … ok, keep in touch.”

Joe looked questioningly, his eyes bugging out of his head. “Who?”

“The chief” Fox smiled knowingly. “Don’t know how that man does it but he’s on the scene with Frank now…”

Joe breathed out heavily, reaching for his coffee and taking a quick swig. “Pallan’s got good timing.”

Harry nodded thoughtfully. “Hmmm… thank God he was following Frank this morning.”

-00-

Ezra Collig snapped his phone shut with one hand whilst keeping a firm grip on the unconscious man before him. He’d been quite taken aback when Fox had told him they already knew. He knew Joe’s team were very skilled operators but there were times when their knowledge and how they got it so quickly amazed him.

“Sir, you have to move back.” He turned his head quickly to see two paramedics bearing down on his position. Swinging back to Frank once more he squeezed his shoulder then gave up his position, defiantly hovering as close as he could without getting in the way.

-00-

As the mêlée at the traffic lights continued, a lone figure watched. The attacker hadn’t moved far, choosing to take cover in the shadows of a deserted alley housing an old battered dumpster. He pulled the hood of the threadbare coat down lower, leaving his face completely in shadow. No one was close enough to hear his menacing chuckle. No one took any notice, watching instead the hapless young man being moved by gurney to a waiting ambulance. Job done. He could be on his way now.

He felt inside the oversized putrid coat he’d commandeered from the sleeping wino in the park only hours before. His fingers eased around the weapon within a deep pocket, giving him satisfaction he’d left nothing behind. In the other pocket he’d discovered a greasy brown paper bag concealing a questionably cheap bottle of liquor. That had been a bonus, and he’d had no compunction at snapping the wino’s hand as he reached for it. Now he realized just why the homeless sap had wanted his coat back so bad, and it had nothing to do with the weather.

He waited for a few more minutes, then seeing a small group of people about to pass in front of the alley, their heads turned firmly towards the ambulance. He lurched out to walk along side them, cradling the bagged bottle openly. It had the desired effect, no-one wanted to be near him and moved away quickly, but it gave him the cover to leave the alley and fade into the streets beyond.

-00-

Special agent Pallan Hobbs continued to video the attacker and smiled acerbically at what an easy mark he was to the trained eye. He was the typical piece of muscle that others used to carry out their dirty work, and much to Pallan’s satisfaction was arrogant enough to feel safe staying to watch his handy work. After years of practice Pallan had had no problem keeping his quarry in sight and still remain invisible. Easing out of his hiding place he leisurely strolled behind the attacker, letting him lead him to the next link in the chain.

-00-

Frank became aware of the muted voices around him. At first they were muffled, he couldn’t comprehend anything other than that they were voices. The pain in his body was speaking a much clearer language and he tried in vain to move away from it, searching for the fog that had dulled it until now. A light moan escaped his dry lips.

“Frank? Can you hear me?” He knew the voice but just couldn’t make his brain make the connection to a face.

“You’re in the emergency room at Bayport General Frank, you’re safe, we’re looking after you.” The voice continued in a low lulling volume.

He couldn’t make his eye lids open, so he tried to nod his understanding. He didn’t know why but the word “safe” made him feel less agitated, but it did. Someone was there and they knew about the pain.

“Just take it nice and slow, try and open your eyes when you’re ready… you’re quite safe now.”

The voice faded as the white noise of the fog took over. Desperate for an end to the searing pain hunting him, Frank took the easier option and let himself be enveloped in the thick white nothing.

-00-

Ezra Collig paced the waiting room with an agitated stride. Though well known to the staff he’d not been able to get even a sniff of information. Frank had been rushed headlong into the sanctity of the emergency room and the very tall overbearing nurse that had blocked his path had brooked no argument regarding him staying with Frank.

His phone rang shrilly and he grabbed for it. Right now anything was better than the silence of the waiting room.

“Collig” he barked sharply.

“Oh, hey Joe, no, no news yet, I’m still waiting… no, don’t come down, you’ll just blow your cover, you know that, just stay put ok son? I’m staying right here, I’ll ring you the minute I know something.”

Flipping his phone shut Ezra closed his eyes briefly and breathed out heavily. He knew Fox and Harry would have their work cut out for them at the moment; Joe had never been good about not being able to get to Frank when he’d been hurt. For that matter, he thought ruefully to himself, Frank was just as bad when the shoe was on the other foot. He felt the mantle of caring for Frank on Joe’s behalf weighing heavily on him.

-00-

Frank drifted; around him the deep fog swirled. Dimly he could hear snatches of sound but his mind wouldn’t track. Though the fog left him cold and clammy there was a sense of peace in its whiteness, and then a shadow loomed dark and menacing; closer and closer. Instantly a blanket of fear descended on Frank and he jerked away from the foul smelling spectre, so close he could feel the burning glare of eyes glistening with hatred, the smell frighteningly familiar.

Watch… watch out… the words were hardly discernable from the guttural hiss, and then he saw him… there was someone at the window, sneering at him, reaching in… reaching for him. Frank lunged to get away only to be stopped by strong hands, forcing him to stay.

“Easy now… he’s coming round… don’t let him fall”

Frank forced himself away from the hands, searching desperately for an escape route. The dimness was suddenly replaced by burning brilliant light. Heart racing, he sucked in a huge lungful of breath.

“Noooooo!” He shouted, his voice muffled to his own ear. Something on his face, tight, hurting; he tried desperately to dislodge it, his hands useless to the task.

“He’s going into shock… can we get a mask back on him please…”

Frank tried to focus on the voices around him but the light was hurting his eyes. Raising his hand to shield them he once again met with firm resistance.

“He’s going to pull that IV in a minute…It’s ok Frank, take it nice and easy, you’re safe… you’re in the ER, take nice slow breaths for me…”

The voice was familiar, and somehow he felt he knew this place; its smell and sounds. He shivered at the feel of cold on his chest, moving from place to place, chilling him.

Forcing his eyes to open, he blinked owlishly then tried to push himself up only to once again find the firm resistance of hands keeping him where he was. The previous feeling of cold was replaced by slowly pervading warmth that settled over him, a blanket was being tucked around him. The fog was almost totally gone now and with it the dark spectre within. He relaxed a little and acquiesced to the gentle insistence trying to make him lay down.

Closing his eyes he let his body go limp, exhausted from his efforts.

“How’s he doing?”

“He’s coming round a little… it’s slow, he took quite a hit to the neck.”

“Doctor, his pressure’s coming down, sats are improving...”

Doctor… Frank’s mind focused more easily on the voices around him, finally able to discern them from the muffled sounds of before. A tightness around his bicep released suddenly, a tightness he’d not registered before.

“Stay with him… he’s still not lucid yet.”

He wanted to tell them he could hear them but his tongue wouldn’t cooperate; thick and heavy in his mouth. He tried to lick his lips but they were too dry. A warm hand on his squeezed his fingers gently.

“It’s ok Frank, you’re doing really well; you’re in the ER, just take it slowly; don’t try to force it.”

Frank knew the voice so well it aggravated him not to be able to place a name and face to it. With a final effort he opened his eyes to the glaring light. The face before him swum slowly into focus.

“Al…Alan?”

The speaker smiled gently at him. “Yeah Frank, it’s Alan… good to have you back, though you know, I would have been happy just to catch up over coffee rather than have you drop in on me at work like this. Back barely five minutes…”

Doctor Alan Bates had been Frank’s doctor for many years and at times because of his youthful appearance had almost been mistaken for being a possible older brother to Frank. Both men had rich dark hair and hazel eyes. He turned away from Frank for a moment.

“Can you let Chief Collig know Frank’s awake.”

“What happened?” Frank swallowed carefully, suddenly becoming aware of the dull ache in his head and neck. The pain blossomed to his shoulder and arm as he tried experimentally to move his hands again.

Alan turned back quickly, expertly scanning Frank once again before continuing.

“We’re pretty sure you got hit with some kind of a taser. Your attacker decided to do a really good number on you and went for your neck; more than once.” Taking Franks hand he drew it towards the opposite side of his neck so the young man could feel the thick dressing. “That has to stay there for now, the prongs have done some superficial damage… you’re lucky he missed the main arteries. You’re gonna be quite sore for a couple of days.”

Frank gingerly felt the thick wadding then let his hand fall back to the bed. He lay quietly trying to organize his thoughts.

“How long have I been out?” he asked.

Alan looked at his watch. “About three hours, give or take. Ezra Collig is in the waiting room and wants to talk to you as soon as you feel up to it. Oh, and don’t worry, Joe knows; he’s not here but he does know. I guess his absence tells me you guys have some kind of business going on.” It wasn’t a question, just a calm statement of fact; Alan Bates had patched Frank and Joe up on many occasions knowing there were reasons why, but nothing he could be told. He turned to grab Frank’s chart and start a fresh round of checks.

Frank’s head was starting to ache fiercely. He turned his head to try and find a comfortable spot on the pillow only to stop at the sudden pull of the dressing on his neck. Rolling his shoulder slightly to stop the pulling sent star bursts of pain through his upper torso.

Alan watched and bit his lip. “Is the pain starting to build again?”

Frank nodded carefully. “Hmmmm… it’s not good…. When can I get out of here?”

Alan closed his eyes briefly and snorted lightly. “Oh yeah, we’ll discuss that a bit later… I’ll get you something for the pain.”

-00-

To be continued…