Inner Workings

Inner Workings - Part 49

By the time Justin's ATV made it back to Everett, the ache in Will's wrists was so bad his hands transferred from grasping Justin's shoulders to a loose lasso of arms around his waist. Probably a ring of bruises by now. The grip of his legs against vinyl and metal kept him in the seat. Wet, and enough mud on the sides of his pants to grow a small herb garden, Will had faint hope of finding a dry patch of ground, floor, anything, to lay down and rest. Perhaps Ram and Mary wouldn't mind if he passed out on the couch.

The ATV stopped in a full parking structure, a Watch Med Van, outfitted with a BT-3 and medical supplies, sat double parked on the second level. One suited man stood by it, hand on his earpiece, while one Med Tech stood inside. Will had expected more of Watch One's search team than two men.

"Where's Louis?" asked Will, taking off the helmet.

"Other side of the building," said Justin, tossing the keys to the suit beside the van. "With the other van."

Will opened his mouth to protest being separated from Louis, then thought better of it. For all he knew, Louis had requested treatment away from his partner, especially since Will was responsible for some of the bruises. He acquiesced to treatment, sitting stiffly on the flip out bench in the van as the Med Tech took his vitals and then cleaned the mud off the cuts and bruises. If his luck held he might get a chance to lay back on the floor.

Agent Justin talked with the suited man just out of Will's hearing, going back and forth in low, barely hushed tones.

"We're still looking for her?" asked Justin.

"Yes."

"Damn. Doesn't help that she has a bargaining chip."

"Agreed."

Will leaned out of the van, keeping his arm in the Med Tech's lap as she wrapped it in sterile gauze. "What's going on?"

"Nothing?" said Justin.

Will waved the Med Tech off his arm and hopped down, his shoes squelching. One thing he learned from Louis; "nothing" in that kind of tone meant "something."

"Sit-rep," he said partially to Justin and partially to whoever was listening in on the SkySprecht.

"There is no "sit" to "rep"," said Justin.

Through the com, Will heard differently. Cetz, tone clipped and distant. "Sandra has a hostage. Reconvene with Reese and Beni."

Will nodded in Justin's direction. "Thanks for the ride back."

"Where do you think you're going?" said Justin, grabbing at Will's left arm.

Will winced and yanked his arm away, but stood still. "I'm going to find the rest of my team."

"You're going to sit down and let us handle what's going on. Watch Two has done enough damage."

"I have orders from the Head of Watch Two to meet back up with my team. That order overrules your suggestion. I have no intention to interfere with your mission anymore than I need to."

Justin snorted, his mouth stretched in a sneer. "Would you stay if Louis asked?"

"Right now I'd tell him to suck it." Will walked towards the stairway, back out into the rain. He drew his mud streaked jacket closer, keeping one hand on the SkySprecht. "Where's Reese?"

Cetz gave him directions and Will walked slowly through the drizzle. Each step jarred his stretched ribs and pinged at his conscience. He shouldn't be leaving Louis in Watch One hands. He shouldn't be abandoning his partner, not matter how much Louis didn't want him there.