New
Arrivals
Author-Suzie
Titles
Programmed for Death
by Suzie
Summary: Blair is the only surviving victim in a series of attacks.
Disclaimer: Some of the characters in this story belong to the UPN Network and Pet Fly Productions as part of the television show The Sentinel. I do not claim these characters as my own. No money has changed hands.
Notes: Thanks, Jen, for your wisdom and patience when I was ready to throw it in the trash!
Warning: This story contains violence involving dog attacks, which could be disturbing to some people. This *IS* a work of fiction and I kept the graphics to a minimum. This is *NOT* a Cujo 2 story!
Two men were attacked while jogging in different parks within Cascade. One woman and one man were attacked in separate incidents in different parking lots downtown. One woman was attacked while at a playground with her two kids. None had survived the vicious, brutal attacks. These people had nothing in common. They didn't know each other. Their only common trait, all died the same way. Each had been attacked and killed by one or more large dogs. And though there were witnesses at the time of each attack and they had tried to help the victim, no one else was attacked or even threatened. The animal did the deed and then disappeared without so much as a sniff in anyone else's direction.
**********
James Ellison, a Detective in Major Crimes, stepped into his Captain's office. He was followed by his partner, Blair Sandburg, a Police Observer with the Cascade PD.
"You wanted to see us, sir?" Jim asked, closing the door after Blair was inside.
"We just received a call from someone saying they have information on the dog attacks," Captain Simon Banks informed the Detective.
"Who is it?" Blair inquired.
"All we have is *Daniel*," Simon answered. "He's willing to meet someone in the parking garage under the Jacob's Building."
Jim nodded, "Okay, what time?"
"Midnight."
**********
The heavy gate was down, effectively blocking the entrance into the garage when Jim and Blair arrived at 11:55pm. A big red sign with white block letters read, "CLOSED".
"Now what? How do we get in?" Blair asked.
Using his Sentinel abilities, Jim scanned the area. "That's how, Chief," he said, pointing to a metal door hidden in the shadows. "There's a door propped open."
Jim backed the truck into the street, then pulled up to the curb and parked. Together, he and Blair went inside the deserted garage. The only light was the dim security lights the glowed yellow form the ceiling, but they did little to illuminate the area.
Blair looked at his watch. "It's midnight. Can you tell if anyone is here, Jim?"
Focusing his hearing, Jim could only hear the sound of machinery running. Whir ... whoosh ... thunk ... whoosh. The sound kept repeating. Whir ... whoosh ... thunk ... whoosh. Frowning, the Detective said, "I don't hear anything but some kind of machinery ... on the next level up."
"Machinery?" Blair puzzled. "The garage is closed. What would be running?"
Jim shook his head, "I don't know, Chief. I'm going to go check it out though. You wait here in case our friend decides to show up."
"Okay, Jim," Blair reached out and laid his hand on the bigger man's arm. "Be careful, man."
Jim looked down at his friend and gave a little smile, "Always." He then walked over to the elevator and pushed the button. After waiting a bit for a response but getting none, Jim decided to take the stairs, which were right next to the elevator.
As Jim neared the second level landing the sounds got louder. His sensitive nose picked the distinct odor of overheated belts and oil in an overworked mechanical system ... and something else. Though some people may have been able to detect the smells of the machinery, only a Sentinel could single out the stench of fresh blood. It was nearly overwhelming to Jim as he stood to the side of the open doorway.
Gun drawn, his sense of smell again under control, Jim carefully entered the second level of the garage. Immediately, Jim identified the sound he'd heard from downstairs. It was the elevator ~ Whir ... whoosh ... thunk ... whoosh. The door was opening and closing against a body that lay half in and half out of the car, torn and unrecognizable. Blood was still dripping, pooling around the inert form as Jim checked for a pulse in the victim's wrist. There was none, but the body was still warm. That meant ...
Jim quickly focused his hearing. A low growl met his ears from the level below him. "Oh God!" he breathed, feeling a moment of panic in his stomach. "BLAIR, GET OUT!!" Jim shouted, but he was sure his partner wouldn't have been able to here him. Pulling his cell phone from a pocket, Jim hit speed dial to call Blair's cell phone as he turned to charge down the stairs.
**********
Blair saw a man step out of the shadows. "Are you Daniel?" he asked, then felt his stomach turn over at the look in the man's eyes. The cell phone in his jacket pocket rang, but Blair didn't get a chance to reach for it. He suddenly saw movement out of the corner of his eye and his arms went up instinctively as the big dog hit him hard in the chest, sending both man and beast sprawling. Dazed, Blair tried to scramble away, but the dog recovered a fraction quicker and clamped it's teeth down on Blair's leg below the knee.
Jim heard the phone ring one time ... just before Blair's surprised yelp as the dog hit him. The phone was forgotten and Jim stuffed it back into a pocket as he picked up his pace, taking the stairs two at a time.
Fear mingled with the shock of pain that ran through Blair's leg. "JIIIM!!" he screamed desperately as the dog shook him by the leg it held in vice like jaws. "HEELLP!!" Blair felt the skin on his shin give way under the assault and cried out again with the pain he felt.
A second dog appeared and went to grab Blair's throat, but he managed to twist away as he struck out at the animal's head with his fists. But the big dog grabbed onto a piece of Blair's jacket collar, snarling and shaking its head hard until the material in its jaws began to tear. The animals seemed as oblivious to Blair's cries for help as the man by the door did, as he turned and disappeared back into the shadows.
Blair's screams tore at the big Detective as he burst through the doorway to see the two dogs mauling his Guide. Raising the gun he still held tightly in his hand, Jim quickly took aim. Careful, don't want to hit Blair, he told himself as he watched Blair flail at the dogs with his fists and one free foot.
The first shot hit one dog in the shoulder, knocking it back slightly and forcing it to release the collar of the now rag limp figure it held. Jim noticed that Blair had gone quiet and was no longer fighting, as he again took aim.
The second bullet hit the dog square between the eyes. It was dead before it hit the ground. The other dog let go of Blair's leg and turned to face the Sentinel for a moment. Jim's eyes locked onto the blood ... Blair's blood ... that covered the dog's teeth and jaws and he began to zone-out.
Suddenly there was a high pitched squeal that effectively pulled Jim out of the zone-out, but sent him half way to his knees. His eyes were shut tight and hands pressed against his ears to try and block the painful sound. When he was finally able to straighten up and look around; the dog was gone. Jim shook his head quickly to clear it then sprinted to where his partner lay.
"Blair?!" Jim called urgently as he knelt beside the motionless young man. "C'mon, Chief, time to wake up." He gently pulled the shredded material of Blair's jacket away and carefully inspected his neck and shoulder as he felt for the pulse he had already pinpointed with his hearing. Finding only a few bloody, nasty looking scratches and bruises, Jim let the air out of his lungs as relief flooded through him.
Jim quickly called 911 on his cell phone then moved to inspect Blair's leg, as Jim carefully tore the tattered denim away from Blair's leg, he grimaced at the wound he found there. A large flap of skin had been torn free and hung to one side, revealing the shinbone beneath. Blood oozed out from the edges of the wound, but there was very little blood actually flowing from the wound at this point and Jim was grateful for that.
Blair groaned softly.
"Blair, I need you to open your eyes, buddy," Jim said.
Blair groaned again and opened his eyes. "Jim? What happened?" he asked groggily, pushing himself up onto his elbows. "Ssst ... owowow!" Blair hissed as he tried to move his right leg.
"Easy, Chief," Jim said, helping his partner to sit up and lean against him. "Help's coming."
Blair's face paled further as he looked down at his injured leg. "Jim ..." His gaze shifted to the body of the dog and the memories came back with a vengeance. "OhmyGod!!" Blair gasped as he tried to push himself past Jim.
"No ... take it easy, buddy," Jim soothed as he held Blair against his chest.
Blair struggled, crying out in pain as he moved, eyes locked on the dog. "Jim ... Jim ..."
"Blair ... Blair, listen to me!" Jim said quietly but firmly, gently restraining his Guide. "It's over. The dog is dead."
Blair's struggles quieted as Jim's words sunk in. He realized that the dog lying there hadn't moved, and there was a small pool of blood surrounding it. "De-dead?"
"Yeah ... dead."
Then Blair looked around frantically, "There were two! Where ..."
"The other dog got away from me, Chief," Jim said with a note of disgust, brushing the hair from Blair's pale, clammy face. "You're going to be all right. I can hear the sirens now. The medics will be here in just a minute." Jim could feel the cold beginning to radiate from Blair's body as he felt the shivers that coursed through the compact frame he held. He's going into shock.
Blair let himself go limp with a groan, letting his head fall back against the broad chest behind him. "It hurts," he whimpered softly.
Jim shrugged out of his jacket and wrapped it around Blair. "Hang in there. It won't be long now," he whispered.
Blair snuggled closer to Jim, seeking the warmth he desperately needed, knowing his Blessed Protector was doing everything he could to help him.
Jim enclosed Blair in a warming embrace, "You're going to be fine."
**********
Captain Banks entered the ER as Jim was handing the finished paperwork to the receptionist. "Jim, what the hell happened?!" he asked when he caught up with the Detective in the waiting room. "How's Sandburg?"
Jim sank into a chair with a weary sigh. "I haven't heard yet, but he was pretty shocky before the paramedics even arrived."
Simon sat next to his friend and saw the strain on his face. "Jim, what happened?" he asked again, but more gently, as he knew how the Detective worried over his young partner.
"Have you been to the scene?" Jim asked, looking at his watch. It was nearly 2am and he'd arrived with Blair a half-hour earlier.
"No ... not yet. I wanted to check on Blair first. I sent Joel over to the garage to get things started."
Jim took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. "I found a body on the second level of the garage. It was torn up pretty bad, but I'm guessing it was the *Daniel* we were there to meet. I *heard* the dogs, Simon, but I couldn't get a warning to Blair in time and by the time I got back down there he was being mauled!" Anger flashed in Jim's eyes as he remembered the scene. "I shot one of the dogs, but then there was a ... a shrill ... whistling sound that nearly made my head explode."
"You said 'dogs', Jim. What about the second dog?" Simon questioned.
"By the time I could think again ... the second dog had disappeared!" Jim answered angrily. "Damn it, Simon! I should've made that shot, but I ... I hesitated for a just a second!" He didn't want to tell the Captain he had zoned-out on Blair's blood.
"Don't start blaming yourself, Ellison."
A Doctor walked into the waiting area and asked the half-dozen or so people there, "Who's with Blair Sandburg?"
Jim and Simon stood together.
"We are," Jim said, stepping up to the gray-haired man wearing a white lab coat. "How's Blair?"
"I'm Dr. Hollis," he introduced himself.
Simon glanced at Jim, then reached a hand out to the Doctor saying, "I'm Captain Banks and this is Detective Ellison."
Dr. Hollis shook Simon's hand.
"How's Blair?" Jim asked again.
"Stable," Dr. Hollis replied. "We're going to be taking him up to surgery to clean and suture his leg. The dog that was killed is being tested, but I think it's a necessary precaution to start Mr. Sandburg on a series of rabies vaccination shots, as the dog that did the damage wasn't caught," he explained.
Jim grimaced, "I understand. Can I see him before he goes to surgery?"
"As a matter of fact, Detective, he's been asking for you."
**********
When Jim walked into the small room he thought Blair looked too small and too pale lying on the exam table. He'd been striped of his clothes and covered with a thin white blanket. His injured leg was thickly covered with gauze bandages and elevated, and a IV dripped into his left hand. Jim could hear his Guide's heart beating, could see his chest rise and fall with each breath, but his hand shook as he reached out and pressed it gently against Blair's cool forehead.
"Blair?" Jim whispered. "You awake?"
Blair pulled glazed eyes open with some effort. "Jim ...," he breathed softly.
"How are you doing, Chief?"
"They gave me something. I feel kinda numb."
"Good," Jim smiled slightly, knowing Blair was feeling no pain. "Did they explain what they're going to do?"
Blair nodded slowly, then said, "Jim ... gotta tell you 'bout the man."
"Man? What man?"
"Saw him ... just before the dogs ... "
Jim saw a moment of fear in Blair's glassy eyes and gently took Blair's hand as he soothed, "It's okay, Chief. You're safe now."
Blair swallowed hard, his throat felt dry. "He knew, Jim!"
"Who knew what, Blair?" Jim questioned patiently.
"'Bout the dogs, man," Blair murmured as his eyes closed and he began to fade.
Jim frowned, What did you see, partner?
Blair's eyes opened again, looking wild as he clutched at Jim's arm. He was trying to pull himself closer to his Blessed Protector. "He was controlling the dogs, Jim! I saw his face! It was him!"
"Shh ... okay, buddy, we'll talk about it later," Jim said, gently pushing Blair back onto the exam table. "You rest now, okay?"
Blair laid back and tightened his grip on Jim's hand, "Please stay."
"Sure ... no problem, Chief," Jim said quietly, clasping Blair's hand between both of his own.
It wasn't long before the nurses and orderlies came to take Blair up to surgery.
"Okay, they're here to take you to surgery, buddy," Jim whispered in Blair's ear. He felt his friend's hand tense in his own. "You're going to be fine, Blair. I'll be here when you wake up," Jim reassured him.
Blair managed to open his eyes to look up at his Sentinel, but only for a moment. He gave Jim's hand a light squeeze before the Detective released it.
Following the gurney out of the room, Jim met Simon in the hallway.
"How's he doing, Jim?" Simon asked, watching as Blair was wheeled toward the elevators.
"He's pretty doped up," Jim answered. "He may have seen whoever's behind these attacks."
"Could he give a description?" Simon asked hopefully.
Jim shook his head, "No, he wasn't coherent enough."
"He's our first surviving victim."
Jim nodded, "Thank God for that."
**********
Simon had sat with Jim at the hospital until Blair was out of surgery and the Doctor told them that he was going to be fine. Then the Captain left Jim to care for his friend and went back to the station.
"Taggert! My office," Simon barked as he walked through the Major Crimes bullpen.
"Captain, how's Blair?" Rafe asked as Simon stormed past.
Simon stopped abruptly and turned to face his department. They all looked as tired as he himself felt and he realized that no one had been home since he called them out at approximately 1am. "Sandburg is going to be fine. He went through three hours of surgery to fix his leg, but there's no broken bones and the surgeon doesn't think there will be any permanent damage."
There was collective sigh of relief from everyone in the room.
"However, he is going to have to go through a series of rabies shots ... unless we can find the dog."
Grimacing, Henri said, "Don't they give those shots in the stomach?"
Simon smiled at the concern and sympathy, "No ... not any more. It's done in the arm now. The first injection was taken care of during surgery and he'll get four more over the course of twenty-eight days. Reactions to the vaccine are not unusual, so chances are he's not going to be feeling any too good for the next month."
"But if we find the dog that bit him, he doesn't have to go through the entire series of shots?" Megan asked.
"That's right."
There was a moment of silence as everyone looked at each other, then they went back to work with renewed conviction. One way or another they would find that animal, and the scum that was behind it all.
Satisfied, Simon continued into his office with Joel Taggert close behind with his reports.
"How's Jim holding up?" Joel asked when he'd closed the door.
Simon sat down at his desk. "Jim is Jim. He's worried, angry ... blames himself, though it's not his fault. He was sitting with kid when I left."
Joel nodded silently.
"So, what'd you find at the scene?"
"A real mess, Simon." Joel leaned forward and handed the Captain a folder. "The man Jim found was torn apart, but they were able to get fingerprints." He sat down in a chair facing the desk. "He's been identified as Daniel Webster, a two-bit hood with a drug habit that would sell his own mama for a fix. He'd been in and out of jail for burglary, robbery, etc. ... nothing big and he's never spent time in prison."
"And the dog?" Simon inquired as he scanned through the paperwork.
"A Doberman ... male. No tags ... no even a collar," Joel replied. "He was in great condition though, definitely not a stray."
"Meaning what?"
"These dogs have been trained to kill."
Simon sighed and tossed the folder onto the desk. "Jim thinks Blair saw someone at the scene just before he was attacked."
"Was he able to get a description?"
"No, the kid was too doped up to be of much help. Hopefully he'll still remember the guy when he wakes up from surgery."
"I've contacted the K-9 unit. I'm going to talk the Sergeant there. Maybe he'll have an idea to get us started."
"Good thinking, Joel. I want you to do the interview yourself."
"Yes, sir, I'm on it."
**********
"JIIIM! Blair cried in sleep, thrashing about on the bed in the early hours of the morning. "Help me!" he groaned.
It had started so suddenly that Jim hadn't sensed the changes in Blair's respiration and heart rate as he dozed in the chair next to the bed. Instantly awake, Jim quickly moved to the young man's side to gather him up and still his struggles. "Blair, it's time to wake up," he called quietly.
"Oh God, please!" Blair sobbed as he tried to push away from Jim. "JIIIM!"
"I'm right here, Blair, open your eyes," Jim demanded softly. "You're dreaming, Chief." He gently brushed the hair from Blair's face in an effort to wake him without scaring him further.
Suddenly, Blair's body tensed as his eyes popped open.
Placing his hand on the side of Blair's sweat covered face, Jim brought it up to look at him. Wide blue eyes stared up at him, dazed with fear and pain.
"Hey, buddy, you with me now?" Jim whispered.
"Jim?" Blair sobbed, blinking to bring things more into focus. Then, with a fearful gasp, he looked around wildly. "Dogs!!" Blair cried as he pushed closer to Jim.
Jim embraced his Guide, engulfing him within his strong arms. "Shhh, you were dreaming. You're safe," he soothed quietly against the top of Blair's head. "There's no dogs here, Chief. You're safe."
Blair calmed, as he became more aware of his surroundings, feeling the safety that Jim provided so easily. The Sentinel monitored his Guide's racing heartbeat until it slowed to near normal and the body he held relaxed slightly. Then he released his hold and settled Blair back into the pillows, and gently rearranged those elevating the injured leg before sitting carefully on the edge of the bed.
Blair groaned, "God, I ache all over and I've got a hell of a headache." He squinted the as the pain throbbed behind his eyes. "Did I hit my head?" Absently Blair reached up to scratch at a spot on his upper arm.
Jim smiled and moved Blair's hand away saying, "Leave that alone. That's where you got your rabies shot." He straightened the sheet and pulled the blanket up around Blair's chest. "No, you didn't hit your head. You're having a reaction to the vaccine. Nothing to worry about. How's the leg?"
Blair found the button that brought the head of the bed up. "Hurts a little, but not too bad. Just kind of throbbing."
Jim helped Blair adjust as the bed sat him upright. "Do you remember what happened, Chief?"
Blair thought for a moment, then took a long shuddering breath and looked down at his lap.
Jim hooked his fingers under Blair's chin and brought his face up to look at him. "I'll take that as a yes. You do understand that you're going to be all right, don't you?" Jim released his chin as Blair nodded. "The rabies shots are just a precaution because I screwed up."
"But, Jim, you didn't screw up. You shot that one dog and ..." Blair said softly.
"And I didn't shoot the other. I hesitated for a second and it got away." Jim wasn't going to tell his Guide he'd zoned. "Now *you* have to pay for it. I'm sorry, Chief."
"Please don't blame yourself, Jim. This isn't your fault. They would have started me on the vaccine anyway until the tests come back." Blair looked up into Jim's eyes and asked, "*Are* the tests back yet?"
Jim stared into Blair's trusting gaze for a moment, then answered, "They probably are, but the Doctor hasn't been in yet."
"Oh ...," Blair sighed, then went back to studying the blanket on his bed.
"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be here soon." Jim monitored his friend for a minute, trying to gauge his state of mind. Blair's heart was beating slightly faster than normal, and his breathing was slow and steady as he began to relax. "Chief, yesterday before you went up to surgery you said something about seeing a man at the garage. Do you remember that?" Jim asked carefully.
Blair's breath hitched a little as he nodded, not looking up.
"Think you can describe him to me?"
Blair nodded again and Jim heard his heart rate increase.
"Take your time," Jim said gently, reassuringly.
Blair took a deep breath and looked up at the Detective. There was fear in those blue eyes, and Jim felt as though he could rip the heart out of the one responsible with his bare hands.
"He was tall ... about six-foot, maybe six-five," Blair began. "He was a big guy ... kind of pudgy. He was wearing those green coveralls like maintenance men wear ... and black shoes ... or maybe they were boots. I'm not sure." Blair stopped and a shudder ran through him.
"You're doing fine, buddy," Jim soothed.
Blair took another deep breath and continued, "He had dark hair, cut short, but not like a military cut. Looked like he had a yellow complexion ... but that could've been the lights. His eyes ... they were ..." He looked away.
"What is it, Chief?"
"Well, it ... it was his eyes, man," Blair stammered.
"What about his eyes?"
"They ... um ... scared me."
Jim took Blair's hand and squeezed it reassuringly, "Tell me whey they scared you."
Blair laid his head back. "They were all dark and sunken ... and black." He shivered and pulled the blanket up.
"If I get an artist here, do you think you could put together a composite of this guy?"
"Yeah, no problem, man." Blair looked at Jim's bloodshot eyes and realized how tired the man looked. "Have you been home yet?"
Jim shook his head as he shifted back to the chair.
"Why don't you go home? Get some rest," Blair yawned, rubbing at his own tired, pounding eyes. "I'll call when I hear from the Doctor."
"I'd rather wait. I couldn't sleep yet anyway." Jim took note of the pain etched on Blair's pale face and reached over to hit the call button for the nurse.
"Hey, man ... what're you doing?"
"You're hurting, Chief. The nurse will bring you something for the pain so you can rest."
The nurse checked Blair's vitals, bandages, and gave him a painkiller via his IV line. She handed Jim a small tube of cream and explained to them it was for the red, itchy spot on Blair's arm where the rabies vaccine had been administered. "It's not unusual to have a reaction to the vaccine and you're having the most common."
"When can I go home?" Blair asked, his eyes feeling heavy as he was already getting drowsy.
"Not for a couple of days at least I'm afraid." Then the nurse left with a little smile for both men.
Jim read the instructions on the tube of cream, then asked, "Hey, Chief, want some of this cream on the arm?"
But Blair had drifted off to sleep and Jim smiled affectionately at the relaxed face. He smeared a little of the cream over the irritated spot on Blair's arm, then settled back to wait for the Doctor. Jim glanced over at the window and could just see daylight peeking through the closed shades.
**********
It was early afternoon when Jim entered Major Crimes. He looked haggard and about ready to drop.
"Jim, how's Hairboy doing?" Henri asked when he saw the Detective.
Jim stopped and smiled at the concerned faced looking up at him. "He's having a mild reaction to the vaccine, but other than that he's doing pretty well."
"What about the tests on the dead dog?" Simon asked from the doorway to his office.
"Negative. They said that dog had been in good shape."
"Cool," Rafe chimed in with a smile. "Doesn't that mean the other dog is probably clean too?"
"That's probably true, but they're not going to take that chance with Sandburg's health," Simon said sternly.
"Oh ... I didn't mean ..."
"It's okay, Rafe," Jim smiled, placing a comforting hand on the other Detective's shoulder. "We know what you meant."
"Come on in, Jim. I'll buy you a cup of coffee," Simon said, leading the way back into his office and closing the door behind Jim. "What are you doing here anyway?"
Jim slid into a chair with a low groan. "I was on my way home and thought I'd see how the investigation's going."
"Slowly," Simon sighed, sitting at his desk.
"Has the body been ID'd yet?"
"He was the informant ... Daniel Webster."
"Anything on him?" Jim asked, rubbing at his tired eyes.
"Nothing that does us any good. Has Blair said anything more about the person he saw in the garage?"
"Yeah, he was able to give me a description. I'm going to have an artist go and see if he can put together a composite."
Simon nodded, "Joel interviewed one of the men down in K-9."
"And?"
"Sergeant Minsk says it *is* possible to train a dog to attack certain people and ignore anyone else. But some sort of signal would have to be used.
"What kind of signal?" Jim asked curiously.
"The animal would have to be trained to respond to a sound ... or possibly a smell. Something unique enough that the dog could pick it out of a crowd and home in on it, and it would have to somehow be planted on the victim."
Jim sighed then yawned. "So now all we have to do is ..."
Simon shook his head, "Go home, Jim. Get some rest. Joel Taggert is heading the team and is looking into the possibilities."
"Yeah, okay. Joel's a good choice, Captain," Jim said in agreement. "I'm going home to get some sleep, then I'll head back to the hospital."
**********
Jim had arrived the next morning in time to be with Blair as the artist worked on the composite. Blair had been nervous and faltered slightly a couple of times, but held together very well. Then the young man received the second in the series of rabies vaccine shots. He again had a reaction to the shot and had been given medication for the headache. Jim slipped out of the hospital room to go to the station after Blair fell asleep.
It was nearly 1pm when an orderly wearing scrubs and a long white lab coat awakened Blair from his heavy, drug induced sleep.
"Mr. Sandburg, time to wake up," a low voice called quietly.
Blair opened sleep blurred eyes, "Huh ... wha?"
"Come now, Mr. Sandburg, don't you want to go home?"
Blair immediately perked up, "Home? Yeah, but ..."
"The Doctor just cleared it and Mr. Ellison is coming to pick you up. I thought you might like some help getting dressed."
Blair sat up slowly, still groggy from the medication he been given earlier. "Yeah, thanks."
The orderly went to the small closet and returned with the clean clothes that Jim had dropped off the day before in preparation of Blair being released.
"I thought Jim was coming to get me?" Blair asked, as his wheelchair was pushed toward the elevators.
"I told him we'd meet him out front."
Blair had a vague feeling that he should know this person, but his mind still felt muddy and he decided he must have seen the orderly in the hospital before. He shrugged off the feeling until he was pushed quickly passed the bank of elevators.
"Excuse me ... where are we going?" Blair asked, growing nervous as his wheelchair picked up speed.
"Nothing to worry about," the orderly replied. "There's a special elevator for patients like you."
"What?! Wait a minute!" Blair cried, trying to push himself out of the chair.
A big hand clamped down on Blair's shoulder and brought him back down in the chair as they rounded a corner. The service elevator was just ahead and its door was propped open ... waiting.
"No!" Blair cried out as he began to struggle.
Managing to pull away, Blair stood, but found his injured leg couldn't hold him. For a moment he felt himself falling, but he was caught and flung inside the elevator by the orderly.
Blair scrambled to a corner and sat with his back pressed against the wall as the door closed behind his assailant. "Oh my God! You're ... you're ..."
Pushing the button for the ground floor, he said, "The name's Gary Royal and, yes, I'm the one you saw in the garage that night. But, you shouldn't have seen me that night. Being attacked was an accident, but it was your own fault." Royal glared down at the trembling young man, then reached up and hit the 'stop' button on the panel.
"Are you going to kill me?"
Royal reached into on of the deep pockets of the lab coat he was wearing and retrieved a syringe. "I can't let you live ... but I can't kill you here." He stepped closer to Blair and straddled his lap, pressing his body against Blair's and effectively pinning him against the wall.
Blair tried to struggle, but he was already exhausted and his leg was hurting. Royal didn't bother to push the sleeves up on the flannel shirt and T-shirt Blair was wearing. He simply jammed the needle through the material and into Blair's upper arm.
Blair screamed and renewed his weakening struggle. He could swear the needle hit bone.
Gary Royal emptied the syringe into Blair, then stood and backed away to watch.
Blair felt a heaviness in his chest as a warm sensation pumped through him. His ears started ringing and his eyes wouldn't focus. The last thing he saw clearly before everything went black was the grin on Royal's face.
**********
The phone on Jim's desk rang as he was returning from the breakroom with a mug of coffee.
"Ellison," he said into the receiver as he set the mug on his desk.
"Mr. Ellison, this is Dr. Martin at Cascade General Hospital. By chance is Mr. Sandburg with you?"
"What?!" Jim snapped. "Of course not! What's going on?!"
"He's missing from his room and we have not been able to locate him anywhere in the hospital."
"WHAT??!!!" Jim bellowed. "I'm on my way!" He slammed the phone down and looked up to see everyone in the bullpen staring at him and the Captain coming out of his office.
**********
At the hospital Simon stayed close to Jim through the hallway and to the service elevator. The Sentinel was letting his senses lead him as he followed the very familiar scent of his Guide. It was faint now and was mingled with other hospital odors, but it *was* there. Jim could smell Blair in the elevator, and there had been someone with him. On the ground floor, Jim led the way out a back door normally used for deliveries.
A large van was parked outside. The driver was taking inventory in the back, preparing for his next delivery as Jim and Simon circled the vehicle before standing at the back looking in.
"How long have you been here?" Captain Banks asked, after identifying himself and Jim.
"'Bout two hours," the driver answered nervously. "I'm just now ready to leave."
"When you arrived was there anyone else parked out here," Jim questioned.
"Well, yeah. Most of the deliveries go through here so we're not blocking the front of the hospital. There was the van with the linens and a Federal Express truck. A guy in a 4x4 showed up while I was inside."
Jim and Simon looked at each other.
"Did you recognized him?" Simon asked.
"No, he'd just loaded something into the back of the 4x4 when I came out. He didn't even notice me."
"What was he loading?"
The driver shrugged, "Don't know, it was wrapped in a blanket or something."
"By any chance did you see the license plate?" Jim asked hopefully.
"Yeah, he didn't look like he had any real business being there, so I figured if something came up missing ..."
"Something *is* missing," Simon interrupted impatiently. "Now give us the damn license!"
**********
When Blair opened his eyes he was looking up at a dark sky. It had been raining, but not the clouds had parted to reveal a brilliant collection of stars. Blair moved his arms experimentally, and closed his fingers into the straw and mud under him. He felt sluggish and his head ached as he slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position, groaning with the movement. Where am I? Blair thought as he squinted against the pain and darkness around him.
To his left, Blair heard something move. A low menacing growl. More movement, on his right this time. A snuffling sound. Blair started to push himself to his feet, preparing to run if he had to, but found he couldn't put any weight on his right leg and sat back down with a cry of pain.
Sound erupted from all around. Barking, snarling, whining, growling. Blair let out a panicked scream and tried to scramble away, but stopped when his back hit chain-link fencing. Powerful lights came on to flood the area, momentarily blinding Blair. The dogs, two Rottweilers, a Doberman, and one Pitbull , seemed uneffected by the sudden brightness and continued their loud assault. Blair cowered against the chain-link, shaking from the fear, pain, and cold.
A loud whistle could just be heard over the den and all sound ceased, save the quiet whimpers from Blair.
"Well, Mr. Sandburg, I'm glad to see you've finally awakened," a voice said.
Blair looked out toward the voice, but could only see a dark shape against the bright lights.
"I was afraid the meds you'd already been given combined with the dose I gave you was too much."
The familiar voice brought recent events back and Blair knew you the dark shape was.
"What do you want?" Blair asked, his voice surprisingly calm in his ears.
Gary Royal stepped up to the pen and stared at the young man. "Well, I was going to just kill you and be done with, but on the way here I began to think." A slow malicious grin spread over his face. "Why not give my pups here a bit of fun?"
Blair swallowed hard against his rising panic.
"Oh, mind you a hunt is also great training for them as well and what's left of you will never be found. Rest up now, at daylight we play." Royal laughed out loud as he turned and strode away. After several minutes the light blinked out and all was dark again.
The dogs in the pens on either side of Blair's were still growling, but the fear of being attacked in the dark was no longer an issue. I have to get out of here ... now!
**********
Jim and Simon returned to the station to wait impatiently for word from the DMV on the plate.
"Dammit!" Jim growled as he prowled Simon's office. "What the hell is taking so long?!"
"Take it easy, Jim," Simon said, trying to sound calm. "That license number was only a partial. It's going to take a little time to narrow it down."
"God, Simon, Blair's injured and sick from that vaccine! He may not have *time*!"
"Jim, there's just nothing we can do until we have an address."
"I know," Jim sighed, frustrated and wound tighter than a clock spring. Finally he decided to go down to forensics and talk to Dan."
**********
Blair grimaced at the pain in his leg as he pulled himself up to stand against the fence. The top of his head brushed the wire that covered the top of the10ft.x5ft. pen. Reaching up Blair curled his fingers into what felt like chicken wire ... just strong enough to discourage the dogs from trying to get out. Carefully, he felt along the edge where the wire met at the gate to see how it was connected to the chain link.
Blair's fingers ran lightly over the rough wire. Slowly, he began to untwist the wire ties that were holding the chicken wire to the chain-link. The ties were rusted and difficult to turn. They cut into Blair's fingers, but he didn't notice as he tried to balance on his good leg and ignore the shooting pains in the other. The dogs on either side were watching him closely, letting out an occasional growling bark that would startle the already frightened young man.
Have to get out of here! Have to get out of here! Have to get out of here! Blair kept repeating in his mind. Have to let Jim know where I am!
Finally, after what felt like hours, Blair managed to get enough of the wire ties off. With a lot of grunting and grimacing he pulled himself up to the open he'd created. The dogs started barking and throwing themselves against the sides of the pens, which got got all the other dogs started. As Blair pulled himself half-way through the opening he felt the back of his flannel shirt catch on the wire.
"SHIT!" Blair mumbled angrily.
Wriggling and pulling on the material did nothing to help free Blair and he finally just let the shirt slide off, as he fell awkwardly to the ground on the outside of his small prison. Blair's injured right leg folded up under him as he landed and he let out an agonized scream, which blended with the barks and howls of the dogs.
I *have* to get out of here! Blair thought desperately as he pushed himself to his feet. He took a deep breath and stumbled off into the darkness, his right leg dragging painfully.
From the house, Gary Royal watched through night vision binoculars as Blair made his escape. A small smile curled his lips as he whispered, "Let the game begin."
**********
"NOTHING?!" Jim bellowed. "What's that mean?! We had a license number for God's sake! How can there be *nothing*?!"
"The only thing that comes close to that partial number is a 1983 Dodge pickup that was reported stolen five years ago!" Simon explained. "The vehicle the delivery driver described was a newer model 4x4."
"God, Simon, now what?" Jim asked, feeling defeated and angry as he sank into a chair in the Captain's office.
"I don't know, Jim. Did you find out anything from forensics?"
Jim sighed, trying to get himself under control. "Yeah ... as a matter of fact ..." He retrieved a small disk from his shirt pocket. "I found one of these among each of the victims things." Jim passed the disk to Simon. "It appears to be some sort of transmitter."
Simon rolled the disk between his fingers. It couldn't have been more than a quarter-inch in diameter. "What does it transmit?"
"Dan says it emits a high frequency sound that humans wouldn't be able to hear."
"And this is for?" Simon asked, setting the disk on the desktop.
"Well, sir, what if our killer is some how planting these disks on the victims. Then the dogs could follow the high frequency sound to the person and ..." Jim didn't need to finish the thought.
"What about Blair? Did you find one of these on him?"
"No, I ..."
The phone on Simon's desk rang, interupting what Jim was going to say. Simon looked over at the clock, which read 3am.
"Banks," Simon barked into the receiver. He listened for several seconds, then said, "All right, we'll be right there." Hanging up the phone, Simon stood, "That was Sergeant Minsk in K-9. He thinks he may have something for us."
Together, Jim and Simon hurried out of the office.
**********
Gary Royal had activated the tiny transmitter he'd planted in Blair's hip pocket as soon as Blair had limped out of sight into the stand of trees. The dogs went wild as the shrill sound only they could hear, pierced the darkness. Royal would let the dogs frenzy grow for a bit before he turned them loose.
Blair didn't know how long he'd been moving when he collapsed against a tree, out of breath. His leg was on fire, swollen, and he could feel blood trickling down into his shoe. He shivered against the cold wet drizzle that had begun to fall. His head ached and he was starting to run a fever. Blair could just hear the sounds of the dogs over his ragged breathing and thundering heart. Royal probably knew that he was gone by now. Would he send the dogs after him right away ... or wait until daylight. Blair knew he didn't have much time either way.
Looking up through the trees, Blair wondered which way he should go. He'd been unconscious during the drive and had no idea where he was. Cloud cover hid the stars and moon so he couldn't get a bearing on his direction. Groaning with pain and exhaustion, he pushed himself up, gritting his teeth as he limped off. Blair decided it really didn't matter which direction he went as long as it took him *away* from Royal and his dogs.
**********
Sergeant Roger Minsk handed a file folder to Captain Banks. His partner, Rox, a large German Shepherd, lay quietly on a big pillow in one corner of the office.
"Six years ago, just after I joined K-9, an assistant trainer for the department was fired for mishandling the dogs."
"Mishandling? How?" Jim asked, as Simon quickly read through the file.
"My understanding is that he was trying to train the dogs to be viscous when they were in his care, before they were assigned to an officer."
"Why would he do that?" Jim questioned, his gaze going to Rox.
"It says here that in his opinion the K-9 unit wasn't training enough aggressiveness into the dogs," Simon replied. "He felt the dogs needed to be mean to do their job."
Sergeant Minsk nodded from his seat behind his desk, "Royal was using sound to work the animals into a frenzy, then he would turn them loose to attack whatever was making the noise."
"It fits what we've found so far," Jim stated, nodding to the transmitter disk that sat on the desk in front of him.
"So does the description your partner gave."
"Do we know where Royal can be located?"
"There's an address right here," Simon said. "About a half-hour north of Cascade. He apparently owns some property out there."
**********
The barking had slowly faded to near silence as Blair got further away. Light was just filtering through the trees when he heard the dogs again. Blair stopped, leaning heavily against a tree as he listened. The dogs had been set loose.
Gotta hide! he thought, looking around frantically. He was weak, the fever growing inside him pushing rational thought aside to make room for the panic that was rising. "Jim, where are you, man! I really need you!" Blair whispered through chattering teeth as he pushed wet hair out of his face. With a grunt he pushed himself away from the tree and continued on his way.
**********
"Faster, Simon!" Jim begged from the passenger seat of the Captain's car.
"Speedometer only goes to 120, Jim!" Simon called back over the siren.
Behind Simon followed a patrol car with Sergeant Minsk and Rox. Blue lights flashing and sirens wailing in tandem as they sped north through Cascade in the early morning just before dawn.
Oh God, please don't let us be too late! Jim prayed silently.
**********
Blair was quickly losing momentum as he ran on numb legs, on the brink of collapse, through the wet trees. He could hear the dogs coming closer.
Glancing back over his shoulder, Blair didn't see the root jutting up out of the wet earth and hooked one foot in it. He fell hard, then lay still as the tears he been holding back flowed freely. There was no pain, only wet numbing cold as he curled himself into a ball and cried.
**********
Simon turned right up the long dirt drive that would lead to Gary Royal's house, still followed by Sergeant Minsk in the patrol car. They skidded to a stop at the front of the house.
Simon and Jim entered through the front door while Roger and Rox circled around back. A quick search of the small house turned up nothing. Jim stepped out onto the back porch, meeting the Sergeant.
"There's something in there," Roger said, pointing to the row of kennels a hundred yards or so from the house.
Jim immediately focused Sentinel eyes on the red and black oject and recognized it as Blair's flannel shirt. Jim pulled the tattered material off the wire and held it tightly in his hands. It was wet and cold to the touch, and Blair's scent had been washed away during the night.
Roger placed a hand on Jim's arm and their eyes met. "We'll find him," the Sergeant stated.
Jim nodded.
Simon joined them a minute later. "I found these inside," he said, holding out his palm to show them the small transmitters." Simon looked at the flannel in Jim's hands, but said nothing.
Rox was snooping around the kennels, anxiously sucking in any and all scents available.
"He shouldn't be this agitated," Roger mused curiously as the big shepherd whined and growled.
"Jim, can you hear anything?" Simon whispered softly for Jim's ears only.
Jim blinked and looked up from the shirt in his hands. He took a deep breath and concentrated. After a moment he could hear the dogs in the woods ... and a faint, but shrill and very irritating whistling sound.
**********
The frenzied barking of the dogs had grown incredibly close and brought Blair back to himself. OhmyGod! he thought frantically, pushing himself up. Looking around he saw what appeared to be a small shed. Why would someone build a shed out here? Did it really matter? It was a place to hide.
Blair managed to get inside the 8x8 shed and block the door with an old rake. He pushed himself back into a corner to wait and soon could hear the dogs sniffing and growling around his little building.
"OhGodno," Blair whispered incoherently. "Nononono!"
Claws scraped against the wood just outside. Teeth gnawed at a loose board. Gary Royal could be heard yelling encouragement's to his dogs.
Blair felt himself slipping now. The pain was back, the fever was rising, body wracked by tremors. He could no longer think. Pulling his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around his legs, Blair began rocking slowly. "JimJimJimJim," he chanted softly, eyes closed tight and head resting on his knees.
Jim raced through the trees and underbrush with Sergeant Minsk two steps behind him, half following Rox and half following the sound of the transmitter. I'm coming, Chief!
"JimJimJimJim," Blair chanted as he rocked, blocking out the pain, the dogs ... reality.
Jim saw the four dogs that surrounded the little shed and he slid to a stop, the Sergeant stumbling to a halt beside the Detective. Both men were stunned by the viciousness of the assault they were witnessing. The dogs were literally tearing the shed to pieces! Gary Royal jumped and danced around, shotgun in hand, encouraging the dogs on in their attack.
"Good Lord!" Sergeant Minsk breathed.
Jim stood still, listening passed the animals to verify that partner was inside. He groaned softly as heard Blair's whispered chant.
Rox, on the other hand, barreled forward without hesitation and was met by the Pitbull. The Sergeant drew his gun, the movement snapping Jim back to himself.
"ROX!" Sergeant Minsk called. He knew his partner had size and strength on his side, but Rox was not a trained killer and would no doubt be injured in the battle.
Gary Royal whirled around, bringing his shotgun up. In one smooth, fluid movement, Jim drew his gun and fired off one round. Royal never knew what hit him.
Roger popped off two shots, taking out the Pitbull and one Rottweiler. Jim took out the other Rottweiler and the Doberman.
Quickly, Jim moved to the door of the shed while the Sergeant checked the bodies and his partner's wounds. Jim pushed against the door and could feel that something was blocking it. He could still hear Blair chanting his name softly inside. With strength born from the desperation he felt to get to his Guide, Jim was able to snap the rake's thick handle and push his way inside. The sight of his friend huddled in the darkened corner broke the big man's heart.
"JimJimJimJim," Blair whispered, his head still on his knees, still rocking slowly.
"I'm right here, Blair," Jim said gently, kneeling next to the young man. He brought Blair's face up in his cupped hands and could feel the heat radiate off the flushed and sweaty skin.
"JimJimJimJim."
"It's me, Chief. It's Jim." He smoothed a big hand over Blair's face, pushing the wet hair to the side. "C'mon, Blair, open your eyes. I'm right here."
Blair blinked and stared at Jim as if he didn't recognize him. His eyes were glazed and vacant.
"Hey, Chief," Jim greeted. His heart thumping almost painfully in his chest, as he searched Blair's eyes for some sign of life.
A small flicker of light showed as awareness settled in. "Jim?" Blair whispered.
"Yeah, it's me. How you doing here?"
Suddenly Blair noticed the open door and pushed himself back against the wall. "Dogs! Jim ... Dogs!" he cried weakly.
"Nono! Blair, listen to me," Jim soothed, careful to keep his voice calm. "The dogs are gone ... dead."
Blair looked at Jim again. This is Jim ... your Sentinel. He wouldn't lie to you, Blair thought groggily. A sniffle escaped as his chin began to quiver. "Hurts."
"Oh, Blair," Jim said, pulling his sick Guide into his arms. "You're going to be alright."
Blair shivered as he sobbed against his partner's chest, clinging weakly around Jim's middle. "Want ... to go ... home."
**********
The reasons for Gary Royal's vicious training and attacks died with him that day in woods. An autopsy revealed a chemical imbalance in his brain that could have been the cause, but there was no way to know for certain.
All the dogs were tested for rabies and none were positive. There was no reason to continue the series of shots. Most of the stitches in Blair's leg had been ripped out during his ordeal and an infection had settled into the wound. His fever finally broke at 103.4 eight hours after Blair was admitted into the hospital ... much to Jim's relief.
**********
After a week's stay in the hospital Jim was able to take Blair home.
After another week, there came a knock at the loft door.
"Roger, good to see you," Jim said, letting the Sergeant inside. "What brings you here?"
"Captain Banks actually," Roger stated as he shook the Detective's hand and smiled. Rox trotted in behind him.
"Oh ... geez ... I don't know about Rox being here. Blair is still pretty jumpy around dogs." Never the less, Jim closed the door behind the two.
"Well, the Captain thought bringing Rox here to meet Blair might help. Since Rox helped find him and all."
Jim smiled and bent down to rub the dog's head and received a quick *tongue-lashing* from the happy animal.
Roger quickly looked around. He wanted to make sure Blair wasn't in the room and kept his voice low when he asked, "We know that a transmitter was planted on Blair when he was kidnapped, but has anyone figured out why Blair was attacked in the garage that night?"
Jim sighed as he straightened, "Dan in forensics found that Blair's cell phone rings at the same frequency as the transmitters beacon. When I tried to call to warn him, the dogs attacked thinking it was a transmitter." So not only did I let one dog get away, I *caused* the attack to begin with!
"Don't blame yourself, man. You could not have know that!" Roger insisted.
Blair hobbled out of his room on his crutches. "Jim, I ..." He stopped when he saw Roger, "Oh ... I didn't hear the door." Then he saw the big German Shepherd and paled. "Jim ..."
Jim crossed the room quickly to support his partner. "Come sit down," he said as he helped Blair to the sofa. "It's all right, Chief. You probably don't recognize the Sergeant here."
Blair shook his head as he tried to control his breathing, but didn't take his eyes of Rox.
Roger gave Rox a 'stay' command and moved forward. "Hi, I'm Sergeant Roger Minsk."
Blair shook the outstretched hand, "Um ... nice to meet you."
"Roger helped us find you, Chief," Jim said quietly.
"Oh ... I ... ah ... thanks," Blair stammered, pulling his eyes away from the dog sitting at the door to smile at the Sergeant.
"No problem," Roger smiled. "I'm glad to have been able to help. How's the leg doing?"
"Pretty good. Infection's cleared up and the doctor says there shouldn't be any permanent damage."
"Great!"
Blair looked back at the door, but Rox was gone. OhmyGod! "Um ... where's the dog?" Blair asked nervously.
Roger turned and frowned at the empty space where his partner had been. Neither man had taken any notice of Jim's movements.
"Rox?!" Roger called.
Something cold and wet pushed against Blair's hand. Gasping, he pulled away as he looked down at the dog ... and Jim kneeling next to him. Rox laid his head on Blair's leg and looked at him with soft brown eyes.
Jim monitored Blair racing heartbeat and wondered if this was going to work.
"Jim," Blair whispered, fear obvious in his voice, but complete trust showing vividly in his wide blue eyes.
Jim smiled slightly and nodded. "Rox was there too. He helped save your life."
Blair swallowed hard, trying to push the panic away. He noticed the cuts and abrasions that marred Rox's otherwise perfect coat. Blair looked down into those dark eyes. "He got hurt?"
"He fought with the Pitbull ... but he's healing fine," Roger said quietly.
Slowly, hesitantly, Blair reached up and placed his hand on Rox's broad head. The fur was soft against his skin and Blair gave the head a short stroke. A sort of experiment. The dog didn't move or make a sound.
Blair looked at Jim, then back down at Rox. Another stroke ... then another. Rox's tongue reached out and licked the fingers on Blair's other hand.
Jim watched as Blair's eyes lit up and his mouth curled into a small smile. It was a start.
<>~~<>~~<>
end