“I’ve got a little drug called Lorazepam and I’m going to slip it into his snack tomorrow night. It’s easy to get to the cart while the candy striper is going into the other

rooms.”

 

“What will the Lorazepam do to him?”

 

“It’ll make him drowsy and easier for me to handle. Should make him more susceptible to suggestions as well.”

 

“And if it doesn’t?”

 

“Then I’ll just have to give him a little push,” Sharpe laughed.

 

“I want Tanner there to witness it.”

 

“That’s why I’m telling you now. You’ll have to figure out a way to get him there.”

 

“I’ll get him there. How do you plan on getting past the alarms?”

 

“You forget I worked for the hospital. I know the codes for the doors. When the time comes I’ll get you on the roof and then collect Larabee and bring him up

there.”

 

“What time should I be there?”

 

“Ten pm should be perfect. Visiting hours are over and there’ll be less chance of us being seen. You meet me at the cargo elevator and I’ll get you upstairs.”

 

“I’ll be there,” Wilcox grinned as he hung up the phone. He sat back in his chair and looked at the pictures in the small cabinet. He knew Tanner and his men had

seen them but there was no law against having newspaper clippings on his wall. He’d already removed most of the torn or ripped ones before Tanner broke into his

office. He picked up a picture and shook his head. “Tomorrow night, Vin. It all ends for you and Larabee tomorrow night,” he said as he ripped the picture of himself

and Vin Tanner to shreds.

 

Chapter 82

 

The next morning brought more of the same with Peggy helping him do the exercises to help his hands and leg. There was still pain but it wasn’t as bad as before and

he knew he was making progress. Now he faced down the three medical personnel who’d helped him get this far.

 

Larabee was adamant and he wasn’t taking no for an answer. James, Midland, and Locke stood before him. “I need to do this.”

 

“I’ll agree to it if you allow me to be present, Chris, and if you agree that I can call a halt if I think it’s getting too hard for you,” James told him.

 

“I...I guess so,” the blond agreed.

 

“I’ll call Captain Miller,” Midland said.

 

“Thanks, Stacy,” James told her as she sized up the man before her.

 

“I can do this, Doc. No, that’s not right. I have to do this,” Larabee informed her.

 

“Ok, Chris, I think you’re right. This might help you put some closure on what happened to you.”

 

“What will?” Tanner asked as he stepped into the somber room, Jackson and Dunne following close behind.

 

“I’m going to give the police my statement. I think it’s about time Wilcox was off the street and in jail where the son of a bitch belongs.”

 

“You sure you’re up for this, Cowboy?”

 

“I’m sure, Vin. I seem to remember someone saying I’m the only one who can place Wilcox at the w...warehouse,” Larabee stammered on the last word.

Swallowing the painful lump that came up in his throat. He couldn’t give in to a panic attack now, he had to do this and get rid of the threat against Vin’s life. He

closed his eyes and breathed deeply as he felt the trembling fear leave his body. He knew he had to face this demon and slay it before it was to late.

 

“Chris,” Tanner said.

 

“I’m ok, Vin, I j...just have to do this.”

 

“You want me to stay with you?”

 

“Do you feel up to it? I mean I know I’m going to have to tell them what happened at the w...warehouse. Tell them what Wilcox said to me and what his plans

were.”

 

“If you can do it, Pard, I can do it.”

 

“Thanks, Vin, I’d like you to be there.”

 

Midland returned with the news that Miller and one of his officers would be there within the hour to take Larabee’s statement.

 

Chris smiled at the crowd in the room, knowing that what he was about to do was one of the hardest things he’d ever done in his life. Somehow, with the help of his

closest friends he’d get through it. He sighed and relaxed against the pillows, letting his eyes slide closed. He heard the doctors leave the room and knew instinctively

that his friends remained. Keeping his eyes closed he listened to the softly spoken conversation between them. He knew they were worried about him and what he

was about to go through. ‘Hell. Larabee, do you even know what you’re about to do. Can you face what Whelan did to you?’ he thought and then answered

his own question. ‘I have too.’ He felt his mind drifting towards sleep once more and wondered if there’d ever be a time when he didn’t feel like falling asleep at the

drop of a hat.

 

“Chris, are you awake?”

 

“I’m awake, Buck,” Larabee answered. The truth was he hadn’t slept long and was guilty of listening in on the conversation his men were having. A conversation

laced with concern for him and what he’d already been through and would have to go through once Wilcox came to trial.

 

“Captain Miller is here.”

 

“Ok, just give me a minute,” Larabee told his oldest friend.

 

“No problem. Are you sure you want to do this?”

 

“Yeah, Buck, I’m sure. Can you raise my head a little more. My hands are shaking so bad I can’t seem to find the button.”

 

“Sure, Stud,” Wilmington smiled as he raised the head of the bed so his friend was in an almost completely upright position. He swung the small table so that it rested

over Larabee’s legs.

 

“Thanks,” the blond said as he reached for the glass of ice water. “Where’s Vin?”

 

“He’s gone to the cafeteria with Nathan and JD. They should be back any minute. Don’t worry Vin will be here.”

 

Larabee smiled at how easily Buck read him but before he could say anything the door opened and James, Miller, and a female officer came into the room. He

swallowed the rising panic as he watched them cross the small space to his bed. ‘Dammit, Larabee, get a grip,’ he thought angrily.

 

“Chris, you don’t have to do this right now,” Wilmington said as he watched his friend’s face pale even further.

 

“Y...yeah, Buck, I do,” he whispered hoarsely.

 

“You want me to stay?”

 

Larabee wanted nothing more than to have the moustached man stay with him but he wasn’t sure he could talk openly with the highly emotional man in the room.

Buck wore his feeling on his face and he was already showing the pain he felt. “It’s alright, Buck, Dr. James’ll be here.”

 

“You sure?”

 

“I’m sure, Buck. I’ll be fine.”

 

“Ok, Chris, but you tell them to come get me if you need me.”

 

“I will,” Larabee sighed and waited for the other man to leave. “Lets get this over with.”

 

“Alright, Chris, just remember you can call a halt to it whenever you need to.”

 

“I know, Doc, thanks.”

 

“Chris, this is Sylvie. She’s a police stenographer and she’s going to take down your statement.”

 

Larabee swallowed once more, his throat suddenly dry as the moment he’d dreaded was finally upon him. ‘Where are you, Vin?’ he thought.

 

“I’m right here, Cowboy,” Tanner answered as if the other man had spoken aloud.

 

Chris smiled as his friend walked into the room and sat next to the bed. He took a deep breath and then turned to Miller. “Where do you want me to start?” he

asked.

 

“If you’re up to it I’d like to hear everything from the beginning. From the time you and Vin arrived at his ranch.”

 

“Is that really necessary? I mean you already have my statement.”

 

“Sooner or later we have to hear it from Chris,” Miller answered.

 

“It’s alright, Vin, I can do it,” Larabee said, closing his eyes in order to stop the queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Finally he forced his eyes open and began to

speak, surprised at how weak his voice sounded. “Vin invited me back to his place for a barbecue. We’d had a pretty busy day at the office and were both looking

forward to watching the baseball game. Vin went to get us both a beer while I waited. When he didn’t show up I...I went to find him. He wasn’t in the kitchen and I

knew something was wrong. I drew my gun and went into the dining room. V...Vin was sitting at the table. Two men wearing masks held guns to his head. I...I knew

something was wrong with Vin when he didn’t move. Whelan was to my right and he told me to drop the gun or his men would s...shoot, Vin,” he closed his eyes as

the words brought everything forward and he once again felt the helplessness of the situation. His body trembled as he opened his eyes and stared around the room,

stopping at each person, before coming to rest on the man whose memories of that night he shared.

 

Tanner could see how hard this was on the injured man. He could see the fear in the green eyes but he could also see determination and he knew Chris would get

through this. He nodded his head and waited for the older man to continue.

 

“I dropped the gun and Whelan told me to get down on my knees. M...my hands were cuffed behind me and I was forced to sit in a chair. Whelan told me that

someone wanted revenge on Vin and that he was going to use m...me to exact it. H...he released my hands again and told me to place my left hand on the table,”

Larabee’s eyes dropped to his hands as he talked quietly. “I didn’t want to b...but I heard the gun at Vin’s head being cocked and I had no choice. T...then Whelan

asked for my right hand. I could see the fear in Vin’s eyes b...but the fear wasn’t for himself it was for me. I had no choice but to do as he said. H...he snapped my

wrist as if it was kindling. God i...it hurt so much,” Larabee told them. He reached for the glass of water to moisten his dry mouth once more. Taking a deep breath

he continued with his story. “My hands were once more placed in cuffs and they blindfolded me. They took me outside and shoved me into a car or something.

Whelan kept talking to me. Asking me questions. I tried to get a fix on where they were taking me b...but I couldn’t concentrate. He just wouldn’t shut up, kept

telling me we were going to be close and that I’d soon meet his client. I don’t know how long we drove but when we stopped they pulled me out of the car and we

walked into some kind of building. I couldn’t see anything.” Larabee stopped and leaned back against the pillow, waiting for the memories and conflicting emotions to

stop.

 

“Chris, you can finish this later if you want,” Tanner told him.

 

“No! I have to finish it now. I have to get through this now or I’ll never be free of the memories! I can’t go on living like I have been. Afraid of seeing Wilcox or

S...Sharpe around every corner. They took my life from me Vin and I’m going to make damn sure I take it back!”

 

Tanner nodded and Chris picked up where he’d left off.

 

“He took off the cuffs and warned me not to try anything. I tried to fight them but someone put a gun to m...my head. Whelan’s voice was all I heard. I still couldn’t

see anything because of the blindfold. He told me to strip down to my underwear. I didn’t have a...a choice. I did as he told me to and they put me i...in a c...chair.

 

Vin watched as Chris’s fingers squeezed tightly and his face clouded over with pain. “Chris?”

 

“I’m ok, Vin. I can do this.”

 

Tanner nodded slightly, his face filled with worry for his friend. “Alright.”

 

“He wrapped chains around my ankles and placed some kind of choker around my n...neck. It felt cold, like ice,” he told them, his eyes once more falling to his

hands. “Someone held my hands down on the arms of the chair a...and h...he....Oh God he placed a fuckin’ nail gun on my hand and I screamed. I...I couldn’t

h...help it. T...the pain w...was so bad and I...I couldn’t stop it. I s...screamed and it didn’t matter. He just l...laughed and did the same t...thing to my other h...hand.”

 

“Take it easy, Chris, just take deep breaths and go slowly.”

 

“Thanks, Doc,” he whispered turning red-rimmed eyes on her. “He kept telling me not to pull my hands away or he’d h...have to do it again. Jesus, I could have

p...pulled them away if I tried. H...he did the same thing to my other h...hand and then put clamps over my wrists. Godammit, I felt so helpless. I...I’ve never felt like

that before,” he once more reached for the glass, only to find he’d emptied it.

 

Vin took it from his shaking hands and refilled the glass for him. “Thanks,” Larabee rasped as he drank greedily before placing the glass back on the table. He took a

deep breath and continued with the tale. “Whelan had the c...camera turned off and then told me he wanted to introduce me to his client. A man in a wheelchair came

into the light. I didn’t even know he was there. He’d w...watched the whole thing and hadn’t made a sound. He said his name was Gary Woodbury and that he’d

waited a long time for this. He started asking me about Vin and B...Beirut. He wanted to know if he’d ever mentioned G...Gary Wilcox. I knew this man was Wilcox

and I got him to admit it. He was so angry at Vin and I tried to tell him that what happened to him wasn’t Vin’s fault but h...he kept saying Vin broke his promise,”

Chris let his head drop back on the pillows and closed his eyes tightly, envisioning the warehouse and the things that were done to him there.

 

“What happened next, Chris?” Miller asked.

 

“Wilcox moved away and Whelan came back. I was so tired I just wanted to sleep. He put something in front of my nose and I woke up. He told m...me I wouldn’t

be getting anymore sleep and asked me if I’d take a pill. I...I told him t...to go to h...hell,” Larabee swallowed more water and continued with his statement. “That’s

when he put an IV in my arm and put some kind of drug in it. Said it was something special he made. It made the pain much worse a...and I couldn’t breath and I felt

like my body didn’t b...belong t...to me. It h...hurt and I knew i...it wasn’t going to be over a...and that he was going to do other things. Then he started telling me I

killed Sarah and Adam and that Vin w...was the cause of everything he was doing to me. I...I didn’t want to believe him but the drugs he used and the pain and I

b...betrayed our f...friendship, V...Vin. I let him take you from me,” his body tensed and he felt the trembling begin in his legs. “No, Goddamit, not now,” he cried as

the trembling grew to encompass his lower body.

 

“Doc?”

 

“That’s enough, Captain. Chris, look at me. I want you to concentrate on my voice. Come on take a deep breath.”

 

“T...trying... can’t m...make it s...stop,” Larabee gasped as his body arched up on the bed.

 

“Come on, Cowboy, it’s over. You’re safe.”

 

Larabee latched onto the lifeline but couldn’t stop the trembling as his body continued to convulse. “H...help me, V...Vin. Make it stop,” he cried as he struggled for

control.

 

Tanner watched as a nurse hurried into the room at James’s call and slipped a syringe into Larabee’s IV. It didn’t take long for the sedative to take effect and the

convulsions ceased.

 

Larabee felt the trembling slow and then stop and he breathed deeply. “T...thanks, Doc,” he said as he closed his eyes.

 

“You’re welcome, Chris, I think it’s time for you to get some rest.”

 

“No, not yet I have to finish it or I’ll never be free,” he pleaded.

 

“Not after what just happened, Cowboy.”

 

“Vin, I have to. Please, Doc, let me finish this now.”

 

“Are you sure you can handle it.”

 

“I have to. For my own sanity. If I don’t face it now I may never be able too.”

 

“Alright, but  remember you’re not at the warehouse anymore and you’re safe.”

 

Miller and Sylvie took their seats once more and waited for the pale blond to continue. “Now that you’ve placed Wilcox in the warehouse I’ll have a warrant issued

for his arrest.”

 

“Thanks, Bob,” Larabee smiled weakly. “Whelan’s dead but now I need to tell you about Tony Sharpe. H...he’s been playing recording s with Wilcox’s messages

on it. They keep telling me what they’re going to do to me. Calling me a Pathetic bastard. Sharpe was here the other night. He used a fuckin’ cattle prod on me again

and told me not to tell anyone or he’d k...kill Vin first. I...I can’t let him do that,” he yawned as he felt the pull of sleep once more. “That son of a bitch is going to

pay,” he snarled as he drank the last of the water.

 

“I think that’s it for today, Captain Miller. It’s time for my patient to get some well earned sleep.”

 

“Chris, if you remember anything else just let me know. We’ll pick up Sharpe as well.”

 

“I will, Bob, thank you,” Larabee assured him.

 

“That sedative will make you drowsy so don’t fight it,” James told him.

 

“I won’t,” Larabee told her, smiling as she left the room.

 

“How’d it go?” Wilmington asked as he entered the room. JD and Jackson in tow.

 

“I made it, Buck. Had some rough spots but I made it,” Larabee’s sleepy voice rasped.

 

“That you did, Cowboy,” Tanner told his friend. “Now go to sleep.”

 

“You too,” Larabee smiled as if the weight of the world was finally off his shoulders. He sighed as the sedative took effect and he slipped into a deep sleep.

 

“Is he alright, Vin?”

 

“He had a convulsion towards the end but Dr. James gave him something and he got through it. I wanted him to stop but he said he needed to finish it.”

 

“Stubborn cuss, isn’t he,” Wilmington laughed.

 

“It’s a damn good thing he is,” Dunne said

 

“JD?”

 

“What, Buck?”

 

“I never expected you to say something like that.”

 

“I...I just, I mean he needs to be stubborn after what they did to him. Buck, I...I don’t understand how someone could do this to another human being.”

 

“Some people are twisted, JD. They get their kicks out of hurting people who can’t do anything to stop them,” Tanner explained to the younger man.

 

“How could they do that to him?”

 

“They don’t need a real reason, JD. With Whelan it was money. With Wilcox it was a sick form of revenge. I just wish the Son of a bitch would’ve come after me

instead of Chris.”

 

“Vin, there’s no sense second guessing this. Whelan is dead but Wilcox and Sharpe are still out there. We have to make sure neither one of them gets to you or

Chris.”

 

“They won’t get anywhere near him. Bob is putting out an APB on Wilcox. He should be locked up before the day is over.”

 

“What about Sharpe?” Jackson asked.

 

“Hopefully he’ll be arrested sometime today as well.”

 

“Its about time. Maybe with those two in jail you and Chris can both heal,” Wilmington’s voice was full anger.

 

“I won’t relax till Wilcox and Sharpe are behind bars for the rest of their lives,” Tanner hissed.

 

“Vin, you need to rest. Why don’t you and Buck head for home.”

 

“I’m ok, Nathan, I’ll just stay a little longer.”

 

“Alright, Vin,” Jackson shook his head, knowing by the younger man’s tone he wouldn’t leave. The three friends took up seats around the room, their eyes never

straying from the sleeping form on the bed.

 

Chapter 83

 

Gary Wilcox knew the police were after him. The police cars parked next to his home was a dead giveaway. He called Sharpe and told him they needed a place to

hole up until it was time to make their move. Sharpe told him he’d meet him at the hospital and get him up on the roof where he could hide until the time was right. He

ordered his driver to take him to Saint Vincents and to pick him up after midnight.

 

Sharpe watched the young woman delivering the snacks for the people on the third floor. He waited for her to go into a room and made sure there was no one

around to watch him. He’d dyed his hair and cropped it short, he also wore a thin moustache as part of the disguise. He hurried to the tray and found the one labelled

Larabee-three-sixteen. He slipped the Lorazepam into the juice and hurried away. ‘Soon, Larabee very soon,’ he thought as he watched the cart from a utility

closet.

 

Larabee slept through dinner and didn’t open his eyes until he heard something placed in front of him. He yawned and pressed the button on the side of his bed.

“Thanks,” he told the young girl as she hurried towards the door.

 

“You’re welcome,” her perky voice floated back to him.

 

“Oh the energy of youth.”

 

“Are you feeling old, Ez?” Larabee grinned at the other man.

 

“Only when I see something like that, Mr. Larabee,” was Standish’s serious reply.

 

“Don’t let them get to you, Ez,” Chris told him as his stomach growled.

 

“I think you’d better eat that repast. You did sleep through dinner.”

 

“Must’ve been the sedative. Haven’t slept like that in a long time,” the blond said as he ate the turkey sandwich. He reached for the glass of juice, scrambling as it

tipped, “Ah, hell,” he said as a small amount spilled on his bandaged left hand.

 

“Nice save, Mr. Larabee,” Standish laughed as he watched the blond pick up a napkin and clean his fingers.

 

“Thanks,” Larabee grinned as he swallowed the remainder of the juice.

 

“Would you like to watch some TV, Mr. Larabee?”

 

“What time is it?”

 

“Eight fifteen.”

 

“I’m in the mood to listen to that woman and her snide comments.”

 

“The one from the Weakest Link?”

 

“That’s the one,” Larabee answered and settled in to watch the sarcastic woman. Laughing as one of the men finally made her break down and smile. The show

ended and he yawned sharply. “Damn, I thought I had enough sleep for one day.”

 

“After everything you’ve been subjected to, Mr. Larabee, you’re allowed to be tired. Why don’t you go back to sleep?”

 

“I think I will, Ez. Shit,” he complained around another yawn.

 

“Goodnight,” Standish whispered as he lowered the bed.