This story is dedicated to Betty – with grateful thanks for all her help and support both in beta reading my stories and for being a friend. Thanks are also due to Betty for providing me with the medical information.

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Silent Enemy

by

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THE BEACH HOUSE - 11.45 PM

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“Hi Steve, busy evening?” Mark Sloan enquired as the sound of the front door clicking softly shut heralded his son’s return from BBQ Bob’s.

Receiving no response to his question he was on his feet in an instant, striding swiftly into the hallway where he discovered Steve, standing oddly silent and unmoving.

“What’s wrong?” he enquired, anxiety sharpening the tone of his voice.?? “Don’t you feel well?”

Maybe it was that question, or the tone with which it was uttered; whatever, it broke the spell Steve was apparently under.?

“Sorry,” he apologised.?? “I guess I was daydreaming.?? I’m fine, dad.?? Tired though.?? It was a busy evening.??? I’m gonna,” he gesticulated vaguely in the direction of his apartment, “grab a quick shower and then go to bed.?? See you in the morning.”

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SATURDAY - 6 AM

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Stretching his body as slowly and languorously as a cat, Steve allowed a small murmur of pleasure to escape his lips as he realised that he had the entire weekend at his disposal; his presence neither being required at the precinct, or the restaurant.?? He was, he realised with a thrill of delight as he leapt out of bed fully intent on going for a long, stimulating, run, a free man.

But as he began to dress in his running gear a sudden wave of dizziness tilted the world on its axis, causing him to stagger and almost fall.??? He sat down swiftly on the edge of the bed and waited for the world to right itself again.

“I must have stood up too quickly,” he reasoned after he had finished dressing before vacating his apartment and running lightly up the stairs to the living room.

“Hey dad,” he greeted his father, who was just emerging from his room.??? “Be back in an hour, okay?”

Mark nodded; still half asleep.??? He was soon snapped back to full awareness, however, by the sound of a loud yell, followed by a series of bumps and thumps.??? He was outside in an instant, where he discovered Steve sprawled in a heap at the bottom of the stairs leading on to the beach.

“Lie still and let me check you over,” he commanded, his skilled hands running over Steve’s body.

“I’m fine dad, please don’t fuss,” Steve said fractiously as he got to his feet.??? “I just fell is all.”

He didn’t mention - because he knew full well how his father would react - that as he was halfway down the steps the world had once again tilted violently.?? He’d grabbed for the handrail to steady himself, missed it, and the next thing he knew he was at the bottom of the steps.???? Knowing only too well that if he admitted to two dizzy spells in the space of 15 minutes his dad would insist on taking him to the hospital which was most definitely NOT how he planned to spend his weekend, he decided to say nothing as to what exactly had caused him to fall.

“What are you doing?” he testily demanded as, once indoors and settled on the couch, his father then proceeded to place his thumb lightly on the inside of Steve’s left wrist.

“Checking your pulse,” Mark replied, surprised to discover that it was fast - very fast.??? He stood looking down at Steve, his face creased with concern.

“Your pulse rate is much faster than it should be; plus you’re breathing very hard.”

“Dad!” Steve tried to keep a hold of his rapidly diminishing patience; there were times when having a doctor for a father had very real disadvantages.???? He could almost see the cogs turning in his father’s head as he ran through all the likely medical reasons for the symptoms Steve was displaying.

“I just ran up the stairs to my apartment,” he pointed out.??? “My pulse and breathing rate are bound to be elevated.”

“Even so, I think …,” Mark started to say and Steve knew, with absolutely certainty, what was coming next.

“No way!” he stoutly declared.

“Just a few simple tests,” said Mark.??? “It wouldn’t take longer than half an hour.”

“It’ll take even less time than that dad,” came the obdurate response.? “Because I’m not going to the hospital, and that’s final.”

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MONDAY EVENING - 7 PM

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The weekend had passed all too quickly and - much as he’d enjoyed the two day break - it was with a sense of considerable relief that Steve headed back to the precinct because, even though he’d suffered no further dizzy spells or mishaps he knew only too well that his dad had been keeping a surreptitious eye on him, ready to pounce should Steve display any further symptoms.????

While his father’s often over-protective stance, didn’t usually bother him, on this occasion he’d found that it had really grated on his nerves and was thus glad to find himself back behind his desk at the precinct and - later - behind the counter at BBQ Bob’s; far removed from his dad’s over-attentive gaze.

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11.45 PM

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“Well I?????????? don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted,” said Jesse Travis as, with a tired sigh, he closed the door of the restaurant behind the last departing customer.

Failing to receive the usual “Quit complaining Travis”, or something along similar lines from his partner, Jesse turned to the counter and felt alarm bells going off as he noticed his friend’s rigid stance and pasty complexion.

“Steve,” Jesse was across the tiny expanse of floor and at the detective’s side in an instant.?? “Are you okay?”

At first it seemed as though his friend hadn’t heard him, thus necessitating that he repeat the question, whereupon - after another slight pause - Steve appeared to break free from his reverie, turning to face Jesse with a confused, slightly embarrassed, smile.

“I’m fine,” he lied, even as he swayed alarmingly and, but for Jesse, would have fallen.??

“Of course you are,” Jesse soothed as he steered his friend over to the nearest chair into which Steve gratefully collapsed.??

“It’s probably just a virus,” he said wearily.?? “Most of the time I feel okay but every now and then I just feel ... Sick and dizzy and kind of,” his voice tailed off to nothing.

“Oh don’t stop now,” said Jesse, smiling in spite of his concern.?? “Not when we were just getting to the good part.”

“Kind of ... Detached I guess,” came the reluctant admission.??? “Like the world is going on around me but I’ve stepped out of the loop.”

He reached up and rubbed a hand - a hand that, Jesse noted, trembled like a leaf in the wind - against his left temple.

“You really should come into the hospital and let us run some tests,” he observed, flinching at the ferocious glare that was levelled in his direction at that statement.???

“No tests,” Steve growled.?? “And do NOT,” he warned, “even think of discussing this with my father Jesse.”

Yeah right, thought Jesse!?? Like he was going to conceal something like this from Mark!???

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NOON THE FOLLOWING DAY - THE DOCTORS’ LOUNGE

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“No WAY!” Steve snapped when, having called in to join his father and Jesse for a coffee, his dad raised the subject of running a few tests in order to establish what might be wrong with him.??? “I’ll get you for this Travis,” he muttered in a surly aside to his friend.

“Steve!” Mark remonstrated.??? “Jesse is as concerned about you as I am because, from what I saw on the weekend and what Jesse told me happened last night, it’s quite clear that something isn’t right.?? Running a few tests will easily determine what, if anything, the problem might be.”

“And I said no!” Steve hissed between gritted teeth, before turning on his heel and storming out of the lounge.

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*****

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He was two blocks away from the precinct, still seething at the fact that - as he saw it - his father and Jesse had ganged up on him in a concerted attempt to coerce him into acquiescing to their medical wishes, when he became aware that the vehicle in front had become a blurred mass of metal from which the tail lights glowed brightly.? He stamped on the brake, hard, but his reactions weren’t quick enough to prevent a collision, the hood of his car burying itself in the trunk of the stationary vehicle with a sickening squeal of tortured metal.???

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ER - COMMUNITY GENERAL

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“How is he Jesse?” Mark enquired breathlessly, having run all the way from his office, forsaking the elevators in favour of the stairs, upon being informed that Steve had been admitted to the ER; the victim of a vehicular accident.

“Fractious,” Jesse replied, grinning.?? “Insisting that he’s perfectly fine and intent on getting out of here as soon as possible.?? I’m admitting him overnight for observation as he’s suffering from a concussion and there’s something else….”

“What?” Mark queried, his features creased with concern.

“I’m not quite sure what it means and I guess we won’t find out until the blood tests come back,” said Jesse.?? “But while I was examining Steve I noticed a couple of odd things.”

“Odd how?”

“Well, apart from his speech, which was slightly slurred, I noticed that his gaze was blank and unresponsive but, conversely, his eye movements were rapid and involuntary.??? The symptoms didn’t last very long - 20 minutes at the most - and he seems okay now but I’ve asked the lab to put a rush on the blood results.??? Hopefully they’ll shed some light on what’s going on.??? He’s in here,” he added, opening the door to Treatment Room 1.

Where he discovered that the room was empty.

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THE BEACH HOUSE

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After the cab had dropped him off at the beach house Steve headed straight for the fridge for a beer.?? He’d no sooner popped the top and taken the first mouthful when the front door opened and his dad came storming into the house.??? Father and son stood regarding one another for a long, silent, moment.

“WHAT were you thinking of leaving the hospital like that?” Mark admonished.?? “You suffered a concussion and you need to stay in the hospital overnight for observation.?? You know - or you certainly should do by now - that that’s standard hospital procedure for head injuries.”

“I’m fine,” Steve muttered, turning his attention back to his beer, wondering why in the hell his father couldn’t just get off his back for five damn minutes at least!

“And I know that you’re not,” came the infuriating response.?? “And I’m not moving from this spot until you agree to come back to the hospital with me.”

“Well you’re going to be standing there for a long time then,” Steve retorted as he strode forcefully past his father, intent on heading down to his apartment to take a hot shower.

“Dammit it Steve,” Mark snapped, reaching out and grabbing his son firmly by the arm.?? “Why won’t you LISTEN to me??? I….”

He got no further as, in the next instant, Steve spun round, grabbed him firmly by the arms and slammed him up against the wall.

“Will you PLEASE just get off my case and leave me the HELL alone?” he snarled, his blue eyes blazing with anger before abruptly releasing his grip, turning, and heading down to his apartment.

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ONE HOUR LATER - COMMUNITY GENERAL

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“Steve ATTACKED you?”?

Jesse would have had an easier time believing that Martians had landed downtown than that Steve Sloan had assaulted his father, knowing - envying - only too well the close bond that existed between father and son.

“I’m going to get on to the lab right now and get them to hurry up those blood results,” he said firmly.??? “There has to be something wrong with Steve to cause him to behave like that.??? Don’t worry Mark,” he soothed, his heart lurching at the sight of the older man who looked totally crushed by what had happened.??? “We’ll soon find out what the problem is and get Steve back on the right track.”

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BBQ BOB’S - 8 PM

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It was Amanda’s idea that she and Mark go to BBQ Bob’s for supper that evening; Mark had been all for going straight home and ensuring that he was in bed by the time Steve returned.?? Amanda had, however, insisted, claiming that, by attending the restaurant they could kill two birds with one stone: keep a careful eye on Steve and monitor his behaviour while enjoying a meal.?? Mark couldn’t fault her logic and so, a little after 8 PM; they entered the busy little restaurant where they were greeted effusively by Jesse, who showed them to a vacant table before bouncing back to the counter to pick up an order.

“Your dad and Amanda are here,” he informed Steve when his partner emerged from the kitchen for a much needed beer.

His taciturn friend paused just long enough to flip the top off the bottle before turning to head back into the kitchen, not even bothering to look over in his father’s direction.

“Well aren’t you going to go over and say hello?” Jesse persisted, instantly regretting the question when Steve, his expression murderous, turned to face him.

“No I am NOT going over to say hello,” he snarled sarcastically, “because I’m busy working, which is what you should be doing Travis, instead of poking your nose into other people’s affairs.”

“That’s not fair!” Jesse protested, stung by his friend’s accusation.??? “I just…” his voice died in his throat as Steve grabbed a hold of his shirt, brought his nose down level with the quaking blond and, in a voice tinged with fury, hissed, “Why don’t you just mind your own business Jess??? And, while we’re on the subject, why don’t you go talk to your OWN dad instead of concerning yourself with when I speak to mine??? Oh, but I forgot you can’t can you?” he scornfully enquired.?? “Because YOUR father doesn’t want anything to do with you does he?”

“That’s enough Steve!”??

“Oh look,” Steve sneered, turning to look his father directly in the eye.?? “The cavalry have arrived.?? It’s lucky you have my father to fight your battles for you isn’t it Jesse?”

“Steve what is WRONG with you?” Mark demanded.

“There’s nothing wrong with me,” came the sharp retort.?? “It’s you two who have the problem.?? Always on my back, watching my every move, convinced there’s something wrong with me when there isn’t.?? I’m sick to death of both of you,” he snapped as he grabbed his jacket from its peg and headed for the door, brushing past Jesse as he did so.?

“Steve - wait.”?

Reaching out, Jesse placed a gentle hand on Steve’s arm, never envisaging the reaction that simple gesture would cause.??? Steve didn’t so much shrug him off as whirl round, pick him up and throw him against the far wall, the force of the impact driving all the breath out of his body.??? He managed to remain upright for a few seconds before sliding - slowly and gracefully - to the floor.

“For God’s sake, Steve!” Mark cried, crossing swiftly behind the counter to help the dazed young man to his feet, which was difficult given that Jesse’s legs had turned to rubber.

“Help me get him over to a table,” he commanded of his recalcitrant son.

“Do it yourself,” came the terse response.??? “I’m going home.”

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*****

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“Well there’s no way you’re going home to the beach house tonight,” Amanda declared.?? “Not after what’s just happened.? You can stay with me.”

“No.”?? Mark shook his head.??? “I won’t leave my son on his own Amanda.”

“In that case Jesse will go back to the beach house with you and stay the night.?? It makes sense Mark,” said Amanda as the older man started protesting.??? “If Steve becomes….” she hesitated, searching for the right word, “agitated, then it’s best that you’re not alone with him.?? Jesse?”

Amanda turned to face her young friend who, if he were totally honest, would rather stay as far away from Steve Sloan as was possible.?? However, like Amanda, he didn’t want Mark to be alone with his volatile son.

As it was neither man had any cause to worry because when they arrived at the beach house Steve had gone to bed.????

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THE NEXT MORNING

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“Coffee’s on,” Mark informed Jesse as the young man emerged - sleepy-eyed - from the guest bedroom.?? “And I’m just about to start breakfast.?? Eggs and bacon okay with you?”

“Great.”?? The young doctor’s eyes lit up with glee at the prospect of a proper breakfast, his morning repasts normally consisting of a quick cup of coffee and a few mouthfuls of toast.??? Pouring them both a cup of coffee, he handed one to Mark and sat down, just as Steve emerged from his apartment.??? The detective stopped in his tracks when he saw Jesse sitting comfortably at the kitchen table talking animatedly to Mark.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he growled as he helped himself to a cup of coffee.??

“That’s enough!” Mark said sternly.?? “While you live under my roof Steve, I expect you to be civil to my guests.”

Both men locked gazes for the longest time before Steve merely shrugged, swallowed the last mouthful of his coffee and then turned on his heel and strode out of the beach house.

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*****

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“While you live under my roof.”???

His dad’s words kept running round and round in his head as he floored the accelerator and, scattering gravel in his wake, pulled out onto PCH.????? Well that situation could soon - and would soon - be remedied, he thought, as he increased his pressure on the accelerator, totally heedless of the speed restrictions.?? He’d find somewhere else to live and get out of his father’s way.?? Let Jesse move in and take his place since his father seemed to prefer the young man’s company to that of his own son.?? To hell with them both!

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COMMUNITY GENERAL - 10 AM

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The first sign he had of any trouble was when, upon entering Mark’s office, Jesse turned and closed the door behind him.

“Jesse?”

“I’ve got the results of Steve’s blood tests,” the young doctor quietly informed his friend and mentor.?? “They’re…” in the slight hesitation that followed Mark felt a wave of panic wash over him.

“What?” he demanded.?? “What is it?”

“You’re not going to believe this Mark, I can hardly believe it and if the results weren’t here in black and white...”

“Jesse!”?? Mark was on his feet, only too well aware that his heart was pounding fit to burst.??? “What?”

“The blood and toxicology tests reveal high levels - very high levels,” Jesse corrected himself, “of phencyclidine.”

“PCP???? Is the lab sure?”??

Reaching out, Mark extracted the folder from Jesse’s hands and read through the findings for himself.??

“The more I think about it, the more all this fits in with Steve’s recent behaviour,” said Jesse.

“But,” Mark’s anguished gaze met that of his protégé. “Jesse you know that Steve abhors drugs.?? He doesn’t even like taking aspirin.”

“I know that Mark,” Jesse soothed.?? “Let’s worry about how they got into his system later.?? Right now our main concern has to be getting to Steve because, after his behaviour last night and this morning, I’d say he’s pretty well stoked up with PCP and he’s liable to explode at the slightest provocation.”

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THE PRECINCT

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“Hi son,” Mark greeted Steve cheerfully.??? “Got a minute?”

The response to his enquiry was a baleful look and a snarled, “What do you want?”

“It’s about your blood tests,” Mark replied.

“Oh god not THAT again!”?? Steve threw the file he’d been reading down on his desk and doubled the ferocity of his glare.

“Yes THAT again,” Mark persisted.?? “Steve, the results show that you’ve got a high level of PCP in your blood.??? Son, we need to get you to the hospital so that we can deal with this.”

“PCP, yeah right!” Steve scoffed.??? “Go away dad and let me get on with my work.”

“Steve will you please just LISTEN to me,” Mark entreated.??? “The symptoms you’ve been experiencing recently - your erratic and violent behaviour.?? They’re textbook examples of what this drug can do.”

“I don’t take drugs dad and you know that,” Steve’s voice was thick with anger.

“I know you don’t,” Mark acknowledged.??? “Both Jesse and I think you were given the drug without your knowledge.”

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“Jesse!” Steve snorted derisively.??? “I might have guessed he’d be involved.?? He’ll do anything to inveigle himself into your good books.?? Hell, he’s probably the one who slipped me the drug in the first place.”

“Steve just listen to yourself for a minute would you?” Mark pleaded.??? “This isn’t you talking and you know it.??? The drug is affecting your psychological state, distorting your perception of things and making you paranoid.??? Jesse and I want to help you.?? Now you have to come with us to the hospital.?? We have to deal with this.”

“Mark’s right Steve,” said Jesse as he entered the office and came to stand next to the older man.

“Oh well look who’s here, hanging on to my dad’s coat tails as usual,” the detective sneered.

“That’s enough Sloan,” Tanis Archer snapped, sensing that things were about to get ugly.?? “Listen to your father.??? Something is wrong with you and has been for the past couple of weeks.?? I’ve noticed it - we’ve,” she glanced around at her colleagues, “all noticed it.?? Now do the sensible thing and go with your father and Dr. Travis to the hospital.”

“The hell I will,” came the angry retort.??

“WHAT is going on out here?” enquired Captain Newman who, having heard the fracas developing in the outer office, had come out to investigate the cause.

“Steve needs to come to the hospital with me as a matter of urgency,” Mark informed the man.?? “But we’re having a little … Difficulty persuading him.”

“Go with your father Lieutenant,” Newman instructed the belligerent looking detective.?? “Now,” he added in a voice that brooked no argument.???

“Come on Steve,” Jesse gently cajoled, which comment was the final straw insofar as the enraged detective was concerned.??? His eyes blazing with fury he advanced on the rapidly retreating blond, fists raised.

“Okay Sloan, that does it,” Tanis snapped, signalling to her colleagues for help.??

Before he had a chance to react, the detective found himself in the ignominious position of being restrained by three of his fellow officers, while Tanis tugged his arms behind his back and cuffed him.

“You can shout and curse as much as you like,” she said coolly as the detective proceeded to do just that, “but you ARE going to the hospital.”

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THE DOCTORS’ LOUNGE

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“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting Mark,” Dr. Sue Scott, Head of the Drug Rehabilitation Unit, apologised as she shook hands warmly with her colleague.?? “Shall we?” She enquired, gesturing towards the couch.

“I’m arranging to have Steve admitted to my unit,” she continued once they were seated, “but I’m afraid that he’s in for a very rough time in the days to come because treating PCP addicts....”

“My son is NOT an addict,” Mark said angrily.?? “Someone fed him the PCP and I fully intend to find out whom,” he added grimly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause any offence,” Sue apologised.?? “The incontrovertible truth remains, however, that your son has the drug in his system and we have to deal with that.?? Now, in cases involving heroin, for example, we can offer methadone as a substitute and wean users off the drug that way.?? With PCP the treatment is slightly more … complicated.”

“Complicated how?” Mark queried, still bristling at the “addict” remark.

“Because PCP is a psychedelic drug and, as such, it’s...” she was about to say “users” but, given her recent faux pas, changed her mind, settling instead for “recipients,” which word she was pleased to note produced no adverse reaction from her colleague, “are highly volatile. We’ve found using Haloperidol, Lorazepam or Diazepam, either intramuscularly or orally, depending on the state of the patient; coupled with isolation, observation and reassurance produces favourable results.??? Now from what you’ve told me Steve has only been…” again she picked her words with care, “exposed to this drug for a maximum of one, possibly two weeks?”

Mark nodded.

“Then his prospects of recovery are excellent.??? Now, if you’ll excuse me,” she rose swiftly.?? “I must get back to the unit and arrange a quiet room for your son.”

“A quiet room?”

“Steve is going to need very careful handling until we are able to eradicate the drug from his system.?? I want him placed in a room well away from the other patients where we can ensure he will have absolute peace and quiet.?? I’ll arrange a team of my very best counsellors to work with him and give him every support and encouragement.?? Don’t worry Mark,” she patted him gently on the arm.?? “Steve will be fine.?? It will just take a little time is all.”

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*****

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“What I don’t understand,” said Jesse, his boyish face creased with concern.??? “Is who - or why - anyone would want to do this to Steve.”

“He’s made a lot of enemies over the years; it’s inevitable in his line of work,” said Mark, regretting - not for the first time - that his son had chosen to follow in his paternal grandfather’s footsteps and become a cop.

“But drugs,” said Amanda.?? “Whoever administered the PCP to Steve would have had to have been in very close contact with him and, from what you’ve told me, the effects seem to have been spasmodic.??? Which would indicate that whoever was administering them …”

“Has only had infrequent access to him” Jesse completed the sentence for her.?? “You know...” he paused for a long moment before continuing, and Mark and Amanda could almost see the cogs and wheels turning in his head.? “The more I think about it, the more I can see that there’s a definite pattern to Steve’s behaviour.”

“What sort of pattern?” Amanda queried.

“Well,” Jesse raised his coffee mug to his lips, took a hesitant mouthful, grimaced at the taste and placed the receptacle on the table.

“Jesse?? Pattern?” Amanda reminded her young colleague, a trace of impatience creeping into her voice.

“Oh yes - sorry,” he apologised.?? “Steve has always been worse AFTER he’s been working at BBQ Bob’s,” he triumphantly informed them.

“You think that whoever has been feeding Steve the PCP works at BBQ Bob’s?” Amanda queried.?? “But who?”

At which question Jesse’s face fell.

“Well, just supposing it is someone at Bob’s, and your theory would certainly make sense, has anyone new joined the staff recently?” Mark enquired.

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“There’ve been two, no three,” Jesse swiftly corrected himself, “Sally Winters, Tracy Elliott and....” he cast around for the other girl’s name, “Patricia Marr.”

“The next thing we need to do is find out whether any of them were working on the same nights as Steve,” said Mark.??? “Can you get hold of the rosters for the past two or three weeks Jesse?”

“I can have them back here in an hour,” the young doctor replied.

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*****

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Steve knew that, once he was in the drug unit, there would be no chance of escape since the unit was a secure facility and he would be locked down for 90 days’ minimum.???? Since he had no intention of being incarcerated and every intention of leaving, he knew that whatever move he made would have to be done soon and so, when the nurse Dr. Scott had left in attendance while she sorted out his admittance to the unit, had left the treatment room to answer a call of nature, he was out of bed, out of the room and into the elevator heading for freedom.??

It was only after he’d called for a cab on his cell phone that he remembered his father had taken his wallet containing his credit cards and cash into his safekeeping.??? Well he could soon remedy that situation, he thought grimly as the cab arrived and he clambered into the back of it.??? He’d call in at BBQ Bob’s and take some money from the till; enough to cover the cab fare and a few days in a motel at least.

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MARK’S OFFICE - ONE HOUR LATER

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“I think we might have something,” Mark announced after carefully considering the rosters.?? “Patricia Marr’s shifts coincide with every night that Steve has worked,” he informed them raising his eyes to meet theirs.??? “I think we need to have a word with her and I see from this,” he indicated the roster, “that she’s working the lunchtime shift.”

Just as they were preparing to leave, however, the phone rang.??? Much as he was tempted to ignore it, Mark’s conscience wouldn’t allow it and he thus snatched up the receiver and barked “Mark Sloan.”

“Dr. Sloan?” Mark recognised Sue Scott’s husky voice instantly.?? “I’m afraid that I have something of a problem concerning your son.”

“What sort of a problem?” Mark enquired, at which comment Jesse and Amanda came to stand either side of him, concerned at the way in which the entire colour had drained from his face.

“He’s gone,” came the blunt reply.??? “He was seen leaving the hospital in a cab.?? I took the liberty of calling the company and they informed me that the driver recalls dropping your son off outside a restaurant.?????? A place called BBQ Bob’s.”

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BBQ BOB’S

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“Hi Steve, it’s not often we see you here at this time of day,” Patricia Marr observed as the detective entered the restaurant where the flame-haired waitress was busy setting up the tables in preparation for the lunchtime crowd.??? “Coffee?” she enquired.

“Please,” Steve replied, before crossing over to the cash register where he opened the drawer, extracted several bills and, after heading outside to pay off the cab driver, returned to sit at the counter.

“This coffee tastes a little odd,” he commented as he gratefully imbibed the life-giving nectar.??

“It’s a new blend that Jesse’s trying,” the young waitress cheerfully informed him.?? “It takes a little getting used to is all, but if you don’t like it...” she made to take the cup away.

“Oh, it’s not that I don’t like it,” Steve said hastily as he swallowed another mouthful.? “It’s just that I...” he rubbed a hand over his forehead, “feel kind of strange.”

“Drink some more,” urged Patricia.?? “You’ll soon start to feel better.”

Her glee as the detective complied with her instruction was interrupted by the sound of a car screeching to a halt outside of the restaurant.?? Crossing over to look out of the window she was just in time to see Mark Sloan, Jesse and Amanda leap from Mark’s car.

“Your dad and his friends are here,” she informed the detective, deriving enormous pleasure from his alarmed expression and the panicked look in his eyes.

“You can’t get away from them,” she taunted.?? “There’s no other way out of here, unless...” she smiled maliciously, “well, there’s always the fire escape to the roof.”

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*****

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“Jesse!” Patricia looked up in surprise as her employer entered the restaurant, closely followed by Mark and Amanda.?? “What brings you here?”

“We’re looking for Steve,” Jesse replied tersely.?????????

“Steve,” Patricia feigned a surprised look.?? “He’s not here.? I mean he was, but then he left.?? About 20 minutes ago.”

“Really?” Amanda levelled the waitress with a cold glare.?? “Then why is his jacket still here?”? She nodded towards the counter where Steve’s jacket was casually draped over one of the bar stools.

Patricia shrugged.??? “He must have forgotten it,” she said as though the matter were of little or no importance to her.

“Mark,” Jesse said quietly, having returned from a cursory examination of the kitchen.?? “The fire escape door is open.”

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*****

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With an ever-growing sense of dread, Mark led the way up the narrow, concrete stairs to the roof where he emerged, blinking, into the fierce sunlight, his eyes immediately drawn to his son’s tall, lean figure balanced precariously on the very edge of the roof.???? Quietly, carefully, he motioned to the others to remain where they were and, his heart in his mouth, crept slowly and silently across the narrow expanse separating him from his son until he was almost, but not quite, level with him.

“Steve?” he whispered softly.

At the sound of his father’s voice Steve turned.

“Stay away from me,” he growled.

“It’s all right, I’m not going to come any closer,” Mark soothed.??? “I just want to talk to you.??? Why don’t you come down from there and then you and I can go back downstairs, have a coffee and discuss what’s been happening.?? Please son,” he pleaded even as he edged slightly closer.??? “Come down.?? Let me.... Let us, help you.”

“It’s too late for that,” Steve replied, turning and preparing to step into space.

“STEVE, NO!” Mark screamed, lunging forward, one hand grabbing a fistful of Steve’s shirt, the other the belt of his jeans, pulling him backwards.?? “Jesse, Amanda, help me!” he yelled as Steve fought him furiously, his superior strength far outstripping that of his father’s, enabling him to edge perilously close to the edge of the roof once more.

And then Jesse and Amanda were by Mark’s side, helping pull Steve out of danger, dragging him - kicking and screaming - to the fire door, down the steps and into the safe confines of the restaurant.???? Staff arriving for the lunchtime shift stood and watched, open-mouthed, as Steve was wrestled to the ground where Jesse unceremoniously sat on him.

“Call 911,” Mark curtly instructed the goggling chef, ducking swiftly to avoid Steve’s flailing fists.?? “We need an ambulance and the police here right away.”

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THE DRUG REHABILITATION UNIT

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After what had seemed like hours, although was - in reality - less than half an hour - Sue Scott emerged from the drug rehabilitation unit to speak to Mark who was anxiously pacing the corridor waiting for news.

“Steve is heavily sedated,” she informed him, “and he will remain that way while the drug works its way out of his system.?? He’s been placed in a quiet room since it’s imperative that we keep him both isolated and calm.?? The slightest sound, even the dropping of a pin, will sound like steel girders crashing together in his current state.?? Quite apart from the auditory symptoms, he’s also got to endure withdrawal and all that encompasses: cold sweats, cramps, convulsions, nausea and vomiting.”

The stout doctor regarded her colleague sympathetically, only wishing that she had been able to impart better news.

“I meant to ask you,” she said, adroitly changing the subject, “did you discover the reason behind why Patricia Marr wanted to poison your son?”

“Oh yes,” came the quiet reply.?? “Patricia Marr is Malcolm Trainor’s granddaughter.”

*****

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“Malcolm Trainor poisoned his wife using a binary poison,” said Mark as they enjoyed - or rather endured - a cup of coffee in the doctor’s lounge.? “It was my evidence that sent him to death row.?? Two years ago he tried to frame me for murder.? His plan almost got my son killed.”??

Mark fell silent as he remembered the phone call from Chief Masters informing him that Steve had been shot; the nightmare vigil as he waited for his son to recover and then the overwhelming sequence of events that resulted in Mark ending up on death row opposite his old enemy.

“Malcolm Trainor had a son, Edward,” he continued, noting his colleague’s puzzled expression.?? “He used to visit his father every week.??? Three months ago, on his way to the penitentiary, he was involved in an automobile accident.???? He was killed instantly.?? Edward Trainor,” he paused for a moment, “had a daughter.”

“Patricia,” Sue murmured.

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“The girl took her mother’s maiden name for obvious reasons,” said Mark.??? “Then she set about plotting her revenge.”

“An eye for an eye,” Sue said softly.

“Exactly,” Mark concurred.??

“The police picked Patricia up at her apartment a little over an hour ago,” he added as he poured them both another cup of coffee.??? “She told them that she had discussed her intention with her grandfather and had received his whole-hearted approval.??? After all, what better way to seek revenge on me for the loss of a son and a father, than to take away my son???? And to do it slowly and insidiously; first of all poisoning his body and then his mind against me - against his friends - before the final denouement - his death,” he sombrely concluded.

“But they didn’t succeed,” the stout doctor reached out and squeezed Mark’s hand comfortingly.??? “Steve is still alive and he will recover.??? You’ll get him back Mark, I promise you that.”

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TWO HOURS’ LATER

?

He must, Steve realised, as consciousness slowly returned, have jumped from the roof and broken his back; what other reason could there be for him being unable to move either his arms or legs???

And then he remembered being stopped just as he was about to step into space.?? Ergo, he hadn’t jumped after all.?? So why...? Lifting his head - a monumental task given that it seemed to weigh a thousand pounds - he glanced down at his body, which was when he discovered the reason for his immobility; he was in restraints.??? Despite the fact he knew there could be no hope of escape, he nonetheless struggled furiously for several minutes, succeeding only in exhausting himself.

As he lay back on the pillow having - reluctantly - accepted defeat, the first of the cramps struck him, wave after wave of agony racking his long, lithe, frame.?? He moaned, softly at first and then, as the pain redoubled its efforts, louder.?? It wouldn’t be long, he thought, as he bit down hard on his lip, before he started screaming; so fierce and unrelenting was the assault on his body.

“It’s all right,” a soft, lilting Irish voice soothed.??? “I know it hurts.?? I’m going to give you something that will help.”

The owner of the voice, a pretty, dark-haired nurse, hove into view bearing a hypodermic needle.??? Swiftly swabbing Steve’s upper arm with an antiseptic wipe, she inserted the needle and depressed the plunger.

“It’s Haloperidol,” she informed him, “it will help to relax you and you should be able to get some sleep.”

Within seconds of the drug entering his bloodstream the pain began to diminish.?? By the time it had ceased altogether, Steve was asleep.

The second time he woke it was to find - to his immense relief - that the restraints had been removed.?? Pushing himself upright he swung his legs round and slid from the bed.?? No sooner had he placed his feet on the floor, however, than his legs buckled underneath him and he tumbled to the ground where he found himself barely able to move, much less be able to get himself back into bed.

As he lay there awaiting help, the first of the flashbacks hit him.

His father pinned against the wall, his cerulean eyes filled with alarm; filled with fear.?? A harsh voice snarling, “Will you PLEASE just get off my case and leave me the HELL alone?”

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His voice!?? His hands.?? He had attacked his own father!

Moaning piteously he began to crawl across the cold floor in an attempt to escape the terrible images that were unfolding before his eyes.

Jesse’s wounded blue eyes gazing up at him from the floor where he’d fallen after Steve had assaulted him.?? The memory of his cold, cutting words as he had cruelly taunted his friend – his curt refusal to help despite his father’s terse command to do so.? Turning on his heel and walking out of the restaurant; walking out on his father and his best friend.

?A wave of red-hot shame washed over him, threatening to consume him whole as he realised that these weren’t just drug-induced images but memories.?? They had really happened.??

He barely had time to acknowledge the nausea welling up inside him before he was violently sick, his tortured body striving to expel the noxious poison Patricia Marr had so insidiously administered to him.??? Even after it was over his beleaguered frame was wracked with violent spasms.?? He was thus unaware that the door to his room had opened until he found himself being gently lifted up and placed back on the bed where his soiled gown was removed, his sweat-slicked body bathed and dried before he was helped into a fresh, clean garment.?? He lay silent and unmoving throughout the entire procedure, studiously avoiding eye contact with either of the two nurses, utterly mortified by what had happened.??

“It’s okay,” a gentle voice - a voice he remembered as belonging to the nurse who had tended to him earlier.??? “There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

But there was - there was plenty to be ashamed of, not least of which was that he had hurt his father, had hurt Jesse.???? Rolling over so that he faced the wall, he closed his eyes and let welcome sleep re-claim him.

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FOUR DAYS’ LATER

?

The day had started badly, Steve having awoken around 6 AM bathed in a cold, clammy sweat.??? Within seconds he was shivering uncontrollably.?? The nurse who’d come to administer his oral dose of Haloperidol covered him with extra blankets, tucking them securely around his trembling body.

Twenty minutes later he was sweating so profusely he’d thrown them all on the floor, only to - once again - be beset with chills.?? It was a vicious and unrelenting cycle from which it appeared there was no escape.??? He had absolutely no control over his body, which was now a helpless victim to the caprice of the drug working its way out of his system.??? While the physical symptoms were excruciating it was the mental ones - the vivid flashbacks - which caused him the most anguish, since they served as a constant reminder of the way in which he had treated - or more specifically mistreated - his father and Jesse.???? Sue Scott had assured him that these - like the physical manifestations of his withdrawal; the omnipresent hot and cold sweats, the nausea, the vomiting? - would fade, eventually disappearing altogether.??? Steve wasn’t sure whether his guilt over the way he had both acted and behaved ever would.

??????????? Breakfast arrived and, for the first time in days, he found himself hungry and actually looking forward to eating something, but no sooner had he lifted the first forkful of scrambled eggs to his mouth than he was overwhelmed by violent nausea.?? He barely made it to the bathroom where he dry retched miserably for what felt like an eternity, before crawling back to bed, curling up under the covers and seeking refuge in sleep.

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Minutes - hours later - he wasn’t sure which, he woke to find Sue Scott’s pleasant, smiling face looking down at him.

“Hello,” she murmured, keeping her voice soft and low, all too well aware of her patient’s heightened auditory senses.?? “I have someone outside who’s been very much looking forward to seeing you.”

At which announcement she stepped aside to reveal his father hovering anxiously in the doorway.?? The only - conversely - the last person he had any wish to see.

“No!” he stoutly declared.?? “I can’t... I don’t want to see you dad.?? Go away,” he muttered before rolling over and turning his back on them both.

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*****

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“I’m sorry Mark,” the diminutive doctor apologised as she accompanied him out of Steve’s room.?? “I thought Steve was ready to see you.?? I’m afraid I was wrong.”

“He acted like he never wanted to see or speak to me again,” Mark said plaintively.

“It’s not that,” came the reassuring response.??? “Now that Steve is becoming more lucid and is beginning to remember what happened he’s no doubt starting to feel deeply remorseful about the way in which he behaved towards you and Dr. Travis.”

“But he was drugged!” Mark protested.?? “He wasn’t responsible for his actions.”

“We both know that,” Sue acquiesced.?? “But Steve isn’t going to - isn’t yet able to see it - that way.”

“So how do I…? You… We... help him?”

“Now that he’s over the worst of the withdrawal symptoms I’ll schedule him for counselling.?? What?” she enquired, noting the wistful smile that crossed the older man’s handsome countenance.

“Steve is a very private person,” said Mark.??? “He’s uncomfortable discussing his thoughts and feelings; he always has been.”

“Well let’s try it and see shall we?” Sue smilingly enquired.?? “I’ll schedule Steve in for the sessions and we’ll take things from there.”

As he returned her smile, Mark couldn’t help wishing that he could share the young woman’s cheerful optimism.??? He, however, knew his son.?? Sue Scott and her team of counsellors did not.

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90 DAYS’ LATER

?

Sadly Mark’s diagnosis proved correct.?? Despite the best intentions - and endeavours - of his counsellor, Martin Greenwood, the detective remained obdurately silent throughout the sessions, breaking the silence only long enough to announce that the whole thing was a waste of time and that he had nothing he either wished - or wanted - to discuss.

“It would be easier getting the proverbial blood out of a stone,” Greenwood informed Sue after the latest session had ended in abject failure.???? “We could both sit in those chairs until we turned into fossils and I wouldn’t get anything out of him other than the whole thing is a waste of time,” he ruefully admitted.

?

Thus the counselling sessions were abandoned and now, after the obligatory 90 days’ stay, Steve was due to be discharged.??? Upon entering his room where she discovered him fractiously pacing the room, Sue felt a wave of concern wash over her.???? Physically Steve might be cured; mentally he was still suffering and until he found the strength to face his inner demons and to talk about what had happened, she thought it unlikely that his relationship with his father and best friend would ever - could ever - recover.

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THREE DAYS’ LATER - THE DOCTORS’ LOUNGE

?

“Hi Mark,” Jesse greeted his friend and colleague cheerfully.??? “How’s Steve?”

“You haven’t seen him?”

“Well I...,” Jesse shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.?? “No,” he quietly admitted.??? “I’ve tried,” he added hastily, worried lest Mark might think he was deliberately avoiding his best friend.??? “But he...”

“It’s all right Jess,” Mark soothed.??? “I’m having the same problem myself.”

“You are?” The young doctor looked immeasurably relieved at that statement.

“Oh yes,” Mark continued.??? “I’ve barely seen him since he came home.?? And when our paths do cross, it’s obvious that he feels uncomfortable with me.?? I just wish that I could get him to TALK about what happened but if I even attempt to raise the subject he either changes it or makes an excuse to leave the room.?? I don’t know what to do,” he said sadly.

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THE BEACH HOUSE - LATER THAT EVENING

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“Supper won’t be long,” Mark informed Steve as the latter strode into the house a little after 6.30 PM.?? “Would you like to join me in a beer?”

“No thanks,” Steve politely replied.?? “And don’t bother cooking for me.?? I’m just going to grab a quick shower and then I’m going out.”

“But…” Mark could only stand and watch helplessly as Steve turned and hastened down the steps to his apartment.??? And then something inside of him snapped.?? He couldn’t - he wouldn’t - allow this situation to continue any longer.?? His mind thus made up, he set off in pursuit of his son.

But as he entered Steve’s apartment he froze when he saw that his son was haphazardly throwing clothes into an open suitcase on his bed.

“What…?” he started to say before his voice failed him.

“I’m leaving,” said Steve.??? “I’ll stay in a motel until I can sort out someplace else to live.??? I’ll call back and get the rest of my stuff some other time,” he added as he closed and locked the case and strode towards the door, frowning when Mark refused to move aside for him.

“Please get out of my way,” he said quietly.

“Not until we’ve talked,” Mark’s voice was firm.??? “Look at me Steve.?? I said...” he reached out and, with gentle fingers, tilted his son’s chin up, “look at me.?? That’s better,” he said as Steve’s reluctant gaze met his.??? “Now I am not going to move from this doorway until you and I have sat down and talked about what happened.”

“Why?” Came the frustrating reply.?? “Talking won’t change the fact that that I assaulted you and Jesse will it???? Talking can’t undo the damage I caused to you both can it?”

?

“No it can’t,” Mark admitted.??? “But it might make you realise that neither Jesse, nor I hold you in any way responsible for what happened.”

“I hold me responsible,” came the obdurate response.?? “Dad, please?” Steve entreated.?? “Don’t make this anymore difficult than it already is.?? Let me leave?”

Father and son stood regarding one another for a long moment before Mark - recognising that what he needed to do right now was retreat and regroup with reinforcements - stepped aside to allow Steve to pass.

“Goodbye dad,” he mumbled as he strode past his father and took the steps to the ground floor three at a time, his half-filled suitcase banging painfully against the side of his leg as he did so.

“It’s not goodbye, of that you can be sure,” Mark said firmly as he headed back upstairs to use the phone.

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THREE DAYS’ LATER - THE PRECINCT

?

“You look awful,” said Tanis in her usual forthright manner, her cool dispassionate gaze travelling over her decidedly dishevelled looking partner, noting his ashen complexion, the dark rings under his eyes, his unshaven appearance and as for his clothes...

“Have you been sleeping in your clothes to save time in the mornings?” she quipped, her jocular tone belying her very real concern.

“Sorry,” Steve mumbled, flushing with embarrassment as he realised how bad he must look.?? The truth was he hadn’t given much - if any - thought to his appearance, being too despondent and downhearted to care whether he was clean-shaven, much less whether his shirts were ironed!????

“Look Lieutenant, there’s really nothing much going on here right now,” said Tanis.?? “Why don’t you go home, grab yourself a hot shower and a shave, put on and pick up some fresh clothes and come back later.??? Your dad is at the hospital so you don’t have to worry about bumping into him,” she added, smiling guilelessly.

“Okay,” Steve acquiesced.??? “That’s a good idea. Thanks Tanis.”

“No problem,” the blonde purred, waiting just long enough for Steve to vacate the office before diving for the phone on her desk.??

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AN HOUR LATER - THE BEACH HOUSE

?

Having showered, shaved, changed and collected a fresh supply of clothes, Steve was just heading back upstairs when the front door opened and Mark and Jesse entered the house.

“I thought you were at the hospital,” said Steve, startled at their precipitate appearance.

“We were, but then Tanis called me to say you were on your way here and so we....” Mark smiled over at Jesse, “came to talk to you.”

“Sorry, but I don’t have time,” Steve said curtly.?? “I have to get back to the precinct.”

“No you don’t,” came the maddeningly calm response from his father.?? “Tanis told Captain Newman you weren’t feeling well and wouldn’t be back today.”??? Mark stifled a smile at the incredulous expression on his son’s face.?? “So,” he gestured towards the lounge.?? “Shall we?”

“I already told you that there’s nothing to talk about.?? Now if you don’t mind...” Steve attempted to push between them.

“You’re not going anywhere,” said Jesse, “and if I have to, I’ll sit on you again to make sure of it,” he added, grinning wickedly.

“You wouldn’t.”

“Try me,” came the resolute response.??? “Steve, please listen to me,” Jesse entreated, his tone becoming serious.??? “Do you remember what happened after I disappeared from the cabin at Cedar Lake, when you called at my apartment to see if I was okay and I attacked you with a baseball bat?”

Steve regarded his friend with mounting suspicion, not entirely sure where the conversation was heading but sensing a trap lay in wait for him somewhere.???

“I remember,” he said quietly.

“Did you ever hold that against me?”

“Of course not,” came the indignant reply.?? “You were…” he stopped talking abruptly realising that he had taken the bait and walked, very neatly, into Jesse’s snare, “drugged,” he finished.

“I said and did some pretty terrible things during that time.?? I even took a shot at your dad,” Jesse shamefacedly admitted, “but not once did any of you give up on me, neither did you hold me responsible for a situation that was beyond my control.?? So why,” he gently persisted, “can’t you accept the fact that neither your dad nor I hold you in any way to blame for your actions?”

“I...,” Steve started to say, before falling silent.

“Malcolm Trainor lost his son,” Mark said quietly, slipping a strong arm around Steve’s broad shoulders.?? “I don’t - I won’t lose mine because he’s too stubborn,” his blue eyes sparkled with amusement and love, “to talk things through.??? Discussing your feelings won’t make you any less of a man,” he added sagely.?? “So,” he continued brightly, “what say you that we grab three beers and go sit on the deck and TALK,” he stressed the last word.

Steve’s gaze travelled from his father to Jesse and then back again.?? Both men regarded him anxiously while he weighed up what they had said.?

“Okay,” he finally acquiesced, smiling broadly; at which smile Mark relaxed.???

Everything was going to be just fine.

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THE STATE PENITENTIARY

?

As he languished on his narrow, uncomfortable bed, Malcolm Trainor allowed his thoughts to drift to the day when he would finally achieve retribution against the Sloans.?? His granddaughter’s failed attempt didn’t mean the game was over; far from it.?? It just meant things would be delayed for a while.?? Thus, while it might be weeks, months or even years before he was able to achieve his objective, he was quite prepared to wait.?? Revenge was, after all, a dish best served cold.

A loud rap on the door of his cell interrupted his gentle musings.

“You have a new cellmate to talk to Malcolm,” a gruff voice announced.

“Oh, how delightful,” purred Trainor, standing up and stretching his short, rotund body as sinuously as any cat.?? “Well I suppose I’d better introduce myself since it’s clear no-one else is going to,” he added, crossing over to peer out of the small window, which afforded him a clear view of the occupant of the cell directly opposite his own who, at that moment in time, had his back turned.

“Hello dear boy,” he called out cheerfully.??? “Allow me to introduce myself.?? I’m Malcolm Trainor, long term resident of this delightful abode.”

The new occupant turned slowly, a vulpine smile spreading across his handsome, bearded, face.

“Malcolm Trainor.”??? If anything his smile grew wider as he repeated the name aloud.??

“Hello Malcolm,” he continued after a brief silence.?? “My name is Carter Sweeney.”

Their eyes met and locked, each recognising - in that single moment - a kindred soul and a mutual aim.?? Revenge.

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The End
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Sequel: Settling Old Scores - to follow.

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