Inevitable Series 06 The Unavoidable Read online

  Once again, Jack was struck by the ease with which they worked together. The closeness that seemed deeper somehow than it had ever been before. He knew about Blair's accident at the fountain. Knew the young man had nearly died. Perhaps it was that incident that had changed them. Had drawn them closer. Jack knew from personal experience how painful the loss of a close friend was. His hand tightened around the arm of his wheelchair as old images flashed through his mind. {Another time. Another life.}

  He dropped his gaze to the file Blair had given him, shaking his head at his wandering thoughts. He needed to concentrate. To help Blair with whatever mess he had currently gotten himself involved in. "So how'd you get mixed up with this guy anyway?"

  Blair let out a long breath, obviously trying to decide how much he should say. "Remember Therman and Grahm?" he said finally.

  Jack nodded. "The millionaires who were murdered a few months back? Yes. But mainly I remember them because of Ken Walsh. That guy…" He let his words trails off. He'd heard about Walsh's reputation. Knew the man would have loved to get his hands on someone like Blair. He shuddered at the very thought of it. "Let's just say that guy was not someone you wanted to mess with."

  "Tell me about it," Blair muttered.

  Jack stared at his friend in stunned silence. "You met him?"

  Blair looked up at Ellison. The detective regarded Jack, assessing him with cold eyes before turning back to Blair and nodding briefly. {Silent approval,} Jack thought. {But approval for what?} What information were they about to entrust him with? He shifted his gaze back to Blair. There was a sadness behind his eyes that had not been there only moments before.

  "For reasons I can't really explain," he began, his voice soft, "Spencer Therman and Caleb Grahm had me abducted. Things went badly and they ordered Walsh to…eliminate me. But before that could happen, Lee Brackett stepped in and killed them, all of them. He saved my life. This man," he pointed to the computer, "this Lantry, he tried to abduct me yesterday. We managed to catch him but then earlier today, another man came after me. We believe Lantry and this other man are working for someone else who is out for revenge because of those deaths. They've already got Brackett and we think they'll keep coming after me until they get me too. But we don't know who's behind it and we're hoping you can help us figure that out. That's why we're here."

  Jack blinked several times, trying to comprehend everything Blair had just told him. The entire story was crazy, unbelievable but there was one part in particular that he was sure he had heard wrong, misunderstood. "Did you say Lee Brackett saved your life?"

  Blair nodded.

  Jack snorted in disbelief. "Blair, if Brackett killed those men, it was not just to save you." He gave the anthropologist a patient smile. He'd always admired Blair for his intelligence, his openness but at the same time, he thought Blair was too trusting. A bit naive. "Brackett doesn't do anything that won't serve him somehow."

  Blair returned the patient smile with one of his own. "He did this time."

  Ellison straightened to his full height and crossed his arms over his chest, nodding his agreement. "It's true. He saved Sandburg's life and there was nothing in it for him."

  Jack let out a long breath, looking into Blair's earnest expression. Could it be true? Had he made Brackett care about his life somehow? Care whether he lived or died? He shook his head. He just couldn't believe it. But more than that, he wondered how his friend had drawn the attention of such ruthless men. What could Blair know or have that could make him a target worth killing for? He opened his mouth to ask, but the hard look on Ellison's face stopped him cold. He had gotten as much information out of them as he was going to. At least for today. "You know, Blair, some day we're going to have to sit down and have a long talk."

  Blair smiled. "I may just take you up on that Jack."

  "But for now," Ellison added, his expression softening slightly but only slightly. "I hope you understand why this information cannot leave this room." His hand fell once more to the grad student's shoulder and squeezed gently.

  Jack got the message loud and clear. Only his promise of silence could keep Blair safe. If the true facts of that case were ever to come out, it could cost Blair his life. But as Jack stared at Ellison, something else became clear to him as well. Ellison must have covered all this up to protect his young friend, risking his entire career in the process. And in that moment, Jack realized just how deeply Ellison cared for Blair. "You can trust me," he stated firmly.

  "We're counting on that," Ellison said, his voice low. He indicated the computer with a nod of his head. "Is this everything you have on Lantry?"

  "I can always do more digging," he offered. "But I guarantee that it'll end up being just more of the same. He's a hired gun. Just like Walsh was. Just like Brackett is." He emphasized the last word, eyeing Blair again.

  "What about known associates? Ties to other mercenaries?" Ellison asked.

  Jack shook his head. "All good mercenaries are loners. That's what makesthem good at what they do. No ties. No weaknesses that can be exploited." His gaze fell once more on Blair. "That's what made Walsh so good," he said quietly. "The man had no conscience at all. Believe me, no one cried when Ken Walsh's life ended."

  ####

  Jim walked beside Blair as they made their way toward the exit of the building. Kelso had managed to identify the man down at the station but beyond that....they still were far from the answers they needed. The answers he needed to keep Blair safe. He glanced down at his Guide as Blair shifted his wrist, trying to find a more comfortable position for his arm within the sling.

  "You doing okay, Chief?"

  "Not bad. The wrist's a little achy, kind of itchy but overall not bad. I'm starving though." He slanted a glance up at his partner. "Think we could pick up some food on the way home?"

  "Chinese?"

  Blair slapped him on the back. "I can always go for Chinese."

  They reached the door and stepped outside. The temperature had dropped at least fifteen degrees and a light rain was now falling, turning the early evening sky a dark, murky gray.

  "Oh man," Blair muttered. The parking lot was three buildings over. They'd be soaked by the time they reached the truck. "I am so not in the mood for this."

  "Tell me about it." Reaching out, Jim pulled the hood up on the back of Blair's jacket, covering his head. Then digging into his pocket, brought out his Jags cap and jammed it onto of his own head. "Let's go."

  They stepped out from under the building's awning and started across campus. Jim kept one hand on Blair's arm, guiding him through the rain, knowing his partner would have a hard time seeing through this mess. Blair shivered beside him. His shoes squished with each step. His breath plumed out before him. But he never once complained. Just kept his head down, trusting Jim to get him to the truck.

  Ahead, a figure came toward them through the growing darkness. Blair jerked to a stop, his heart pounding a heavy rhythm his chest.

  "It's okay, Chief. It's Brown."

  The detective jogged to them. "Hey guys."

  "What're you doing out in this mess?" Blair asked, peeking out from under his hood.

  "Just wanted to make sure you got home okay tonight."

  Jim knew Henri had to finish those banking files he'd been working on all week by tomorrow. He and Blair had even put in a few hours helping him out. Yet here he was, his worried gaze shifting from Blair's face to his arm and back again.

  "We're fine, Henri," Jim said. "Go back to the station and finish your paperwork before Simon has all our hides."

  "I just..." He nodded toward Blair's arm. "I feel responsible."

  "You're not," Blair shouted over the sound of the rain which was now coming down in sheets. "I already told you that."

  "Let me just do this, guys. Let me just see that you get home."

  "Fine," Jim gave in. "Let's just go. We're getting soaked out here."

  "Yeah and that cannot be good for me," Blair added with a grin.

 
They had only taken two steps when Jim stopped. He looked left, a sound drawing his attention. {What was that?} He strained to hear past the heavy rain that pounded down all around them, shifting Blair slightly behind him.

  "What is it, Jim?"

  "I'm not sure. I--" He jerked backward suddenly as a sharp pain pierced the arm holding onto Blair. He looked down at the small dart embedded in his forearm. He heard another shot and an instant later, saw a second dart protruding from Brown's chest. The detective went down hard.

  Jim felt the pull of the tranquilizer on his mind and body. He stumbled backward. {Blair? Had Blair been shot?} He tried to focus. Tried to see his partner through the rain and darkness. But he couldn't make his eye sight work. Another dart hit him square in the chest. He crumpled to the ground.

  "Jim!"

  Blair's panicked voice reached him. {He's okay. Still conscious.} Jim felt something fumbling at his back. He opened his eyes and found himself staring into his Guide's frightened face. Blair's left arm was out of the sling, resting on Jim's chest. He was reaching around behind him with the other hand. {He's trying to get my gun.}

  Jim grabbed his partner's arm, stopping him. He could hear the sound of footsteps coming, a rasping breath. He had to get Blair out of there. Get him to--

  "Run," he managed, squeezing his Guide's arm hard.

  Blair pulled out of his grip, shaking his head.

  Jim grabbed the front of Blair's shirt and pulled him close. "Run!" With the last of his strength, he shoved Blair away then gave in to the darkness.

  #####

  Simon rubbed his eyes. It had been a hell of a long day. He would be more than happy to see it end. The phone on his desk rang. He stared at it, wishing he could ignore it, just this once. The shrill cry sounded again. He sighed and snatched it up. "Banks."

  "Simon," Blair's breathless voice came through the line.

  Simon pushed to his feet, immediately alarmed. "What's wrong?"

  "Jim...." he panted. "Jim and Henri...hit...with tranquilizer."

  Simon realized that Blair was running, that that's why he was so out of breath. "Is someone chasing you?" He crossed to his door, pulling it wide.

  "One man." He drew in a rattling breath. "Can't see him now."

  "Where are you?"

  "Rainier."

  "Blair, hold on." He searched the bullpen. "Taggert," he bellowed. The big detective looked up. "Get every black and white that's in the vicinity of Rainier over there. Now!" He turned his attention back to his phone. "Where are you, Blair?"

  "Science building but..." Another deep breath. "...have to go back."

  "No, dammit. Listen to me. You stay low. You find a place to hole up and you stay put until help gets there. Do you understand me?"

  Blair's harsh breathing was the only response.

  "Sandburg, Jim will kick your ass if you get picked up going back for him. I'll kick your ass. You just wait and--"

  "I hear sirens, Simon. I hear sirens. I'm going back."

  "Sandburg? Sandburg!" But the line had gone dead. Simon slammed his phone down. "Dammit!" He rushed across the bullpen and headed to the parking garage. He drove to Rainier on automatic making each turn, navigating the wet streets without thought. Pulling onto campus, he steered his car right into the midst of the commotion. Police lights washed the area in red and blue. Uniformed cops canvassed the areas, flashlight beams tracing across the ground. Yellow police tape kept back curious onlookers. Simon pulled his coat closed against the night's chill as he stepped from his car. He glanced up at the gray night sky. The rain had stopped but dark clouds still threatened.

  Simon looked toward the only ambulance on the scene, could see Brown being loaded into the back. He crossed quickly to the attendant as he slammed the doors shut. "How is he?"

  "Unconscious but stable. We'll know more once we get him to the hospital and run some tests."

  "What about Ellison? Where was he taken?"

  The man shook his head. "This is my only patient, sir. I don't know about any other."

  Simon nodded. As the ambulance pulled away, he swept the area with his gaze, searching for the officer in charge. Instead, his gaze settled on…Blair.

  The kid sat just a few feet away, against the bumper of one of the black and whites. A blanket had been draped over his shoulders. His head hung forward, wet hair shielding his face from view.

  {Why didn't he go with Jim to the hospital?}

  A feeling of foreboding rippled through Simon at the thought. He crossed to the observer and put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "I'm glad you're all right, son." He felt a slight tremor run through Blair's body. {The kid's freezing.} He needed to get him out of this weather. Get him warmed up. "Do you know where they took Jim? Which hospital?"

  Slowly, Blair looked up. His eyes were clouded over, haunted. A shaky hand slipped out from under the blanket and pushed wet hair behind his ears. "He was gone, Simon. By the time I got back, Jim was gone."

  {"Hey, Sandburg, you gonna sleep all day?"

  Blair blinked open his eyes. He lay in his bed, morning sunlight slanting through the window. He lifted his left arm and stared at it. No cast. His brow furrowed.

  "Come on, Sandburg. Breakfast is getting cold."}

  Jim! {His gaze darted to the French doors. He threw back his blankets and bolted from his room. The table was set, food on each plate. But Jim was no where in sight. Seconds later, he heard the shower go on. He smiled and moved to the bathroom door. It stood ajar. He knocked lightly.

  "Hey, Jim. I had the weirdest dream..." His voice trailed off as he glanced around the door. The shower was empty.} What the hell is going on? Where is Jim? {He pushed the door wide and stepping into the small room, turned off the spray. Just as the water shut off, he heard a drawer close upstairs.

  He left the bathroom and took the stairs to Jim's room two at a time. "Jim," he said, reaching the top. But the sentinel was no where in sight. Below, he heard the front door close. He turned and rushed down. Throwing the door wide, he saw the elevator doors closing ahead.

  "Jim!" he yelled, making a dash for the doors. But again, he was too late. Stepping into the stairwell, he pounded down. The doors to the elevator were just opening as he reached the lobby. Frustration pumped through him as the empty car came into full view. "Jim, where are you?" But even as the words escaped him, he caught sight of Jim's truck as it drove past the building. Blair rushed outside and watched as the blue truck drove out of sight.

  "Wait!" His voice rose. Panic raced his heart. "Jim, wait! Jim!"}

  Blair jerked upright, Jim's name still on his lips. His gaze swept the darkened room around him. Desperation gnawed at him. {Have to find, Jim. Have to--}

  His left arm came up, the cast heavy against his forearm. And then he knew....

  {A dream. It was just a dream.} Damn. It had been so vivid. So real.

  He glanced at the window. Night pressed against the glass. He let his gaze drift around the unfamiliar room. The Jags poster on the wall. The desk in the far corner with the stacks of video games and CDs. Darryl's room when he stayed with Simon. He let out a long breath, uncertainty twisting through him.

  {I should be at the loft. Should be somewhere they can find me. They wanted me. Not Jim.}

  He closed his eyes as he thought of his partner. {I shouldn't have left him. I should have stayed with Jim and protected him. That's the Guide's job.} He rubbed his forehead. He couldn't change what he had done. He could only move forward. Work toward finding the sentinel.

  He pushed back his blankets and grabbing up his robe, left the bedroom. He padded quietly down the hall, stopping momentarily outside Simon's room. The door stood slightly ajar and he stopped for a minute and listened. And as Blair stood there in the stillness of the hallway, listening to Simon's quiet breathing, he suddenly realized something. As much as Jim might listen to the sound of Blair's heart beating, Blair realized that he listened to the sound of Jim's soft breathing in the quiet of the loft. That he was somehow
aware of it….always. And now that it was absent, he missed it.

  He shuffled down the hall to the living room and stood in front of the large picture window. The rain had stopped and the night sky now shown clear, stars cutting across the horizon. {Where are you, Jim?} Closing his eyes, Blair tried to reach out with his mind, to find Jim somehow. To use the link that existed between them. But there was no flash of sudden understanding. No picture of a place. Nothing.

  {Just like the dream.}

  He opened his eyes, letting out a rattling breath. He had failed. Jim was lost and he had no idea where.

  {Please be okay, Jim. Please be okay because I can't find you.}

  He dropped his chin to his chest as the fear that had engulfed him since Jim first went missing, twisted across his chest and pulled tight.

  #####

  Simon blinked his eyes open, his gaze drawn to his slightly open door. His brow furrowed. What had awakened him? But then he knew. {Sandburg.} Normally, Simon slept through the night, never waking. But whenever Darryl stayed over, he inevitably would awaken. Some kind of father instinct that made him get up in the middle of the night to check on his son. That same instinct was pulling at him now. Urging him to get up and check on Blair. Make sure he was okay. {You're just an old softie, Banks.} Shaking his head, he pushed back his blankets, grabbed up his robe and headed out of his bedroom.

  But as he stepped out into the hallway, he realized that Blair was not in his room. Instead, the grad student stood in front of the large picture window in the living room, staring out at the night. His shoulders slumped forward, his arms wrapped around himself. The white cast on his left arm seemed to glow in the darkness of the room. Simon moved up behind him.

  "Blair?" he said softly, not wanting to startle him. "Are you okay, son?"

  Blair didn't move. Didn't even seem to be breathing at first. If Simon didn't know any better, he would swear the kid had zoned. Finally, just as Simon was beginning to really worry, Blair turned his gaze up to him. Pain clouded his normally vibrant blue eyes.

  "I can't find him," he said softly.