Wrestling the Kraken

Stavo

Stavo

Stavo stepped out of his car and walked toward the crime scene, walking past Mahone's car. Heading inside the building, he placed a hand on his holster and scanned the floor. "Mahone." He spoke low at first, then seeing no one, he called out again louder. There was no answer.

His gun was out and aimed, as he made his way forward. He noted the bloodstain on the ground and called out again. Passing a cluster of boxes, he saw grey clothing on the ground by the fireplace. Mahone had a penchant for grey suits. He rushed over and saw him sprawled out on the ground. Checking for a pulse, he sighed with relief.

"Mahone, hey, wake up!" Stavo slapped his face a couple times. "Come on. You ain't done being a pain in my ass just yet." Mahone's face twitched. Stavo placed him on his side, as he started to come to. "There he is, you stubborn old man."

"Who you calling old man?" Mahone replied in a hoarse voice. He coughed, then laid back down on the ground. "Sheesh. My head feels worse than that hangover in '59."

"I told you to wait for me. Didn't I tell you to wait for me, huh?" Stavo helped Mahone get up.

Mahone gave him a sideways glance, holding his head.

"Come on. Let's get you to the hospital."

"I'm not going to the hospital. We gotta catch the guy." He tried to walk, but stumbled back.

Stavo caught Mahone's elbow, steadying him. "We're going to the hospital. I don't want to hear it." Mahone took his elbow back and gestured for him to lead the way. He helped Mahone out, with one hand behind his back for support.

"I thought you had that raid going on?" Mahone said.

"Yeah, I did, but Del La Rosa convinced Cap. that we should postpone until tomorrow morning. Less people in the restaurant, less of a chance of people getting hurt."

"The Cap. went for it?"

Stavo nodded. He didn't like it either. Postponing just gave the target an open window to tidy up and look pretty. It was like throwing a surprise party for someone who already knew about it, pretending to act surprised when they came through the door. The youngest of his sisters always did that and it irked him. He knew Del La Rosa meant well, but Stavo couldn't help feeling that it was the wrong call.

In the car, Mahone's head kept bobbing back and his eyes kept wanting to shut. "Stay with me." Stavo repeated several times. Mahone fought to stay awake by telling Stavo what had happened.

As he talked, explaining about the ring, Stavo couldn't help but think how the heat had turned up the moment Angie gave him that puzzle. Someone inside the station must have been watching, and in his gut, he had an onslaught of terror. It grabbed him by the balls and made him look directly at it.

Looking at Mahone there was no question about it, he needed a hospital- and fast- but every moment he waited, was a moment he put Angie in danger. He would do the only option he could do. Take Mahone to the hospital, then drive like hell to get to Angie. He just hoped it wasn't too late.