"She bagged Austin's vest alone and also told Martin she thought he was turning while being shot based upon his wounds." Zach stood and turned in various ways. "The only way for those bullets to strike where they did is if he had his hands up. We need to see if Keys agrees with her theory and find that vest. This could be another reason to frame her," Zach theorized.
"In thenothing is a coincidencepile is Ralph Locke, a corrections officer. Suicide attempt. He's expectant," Ford sighed.
"Noah, grab Caleb and find a way into his home." Mike rolled a pen between his fingers.
"I'll speak with Martin in person. Every hour this goes on, there are more questions and no answers." The muscles in Tighe's neck tightened.
"That leads us to the case with Homeland. The first five agents killed were all tracing the distribution line of the violent materials. Each agent was found dead after filing their first brief. The sixth, borrowed from the FBI, was posing as a prisoner in the jail. His last report stated that he was moving drugs from the guards to prisoners. Question, are the drugs part of the case or did he pick up another issue within the jail? The autopsy is gruesome." Mike’s jaw locked.
“That makes me think his death is part of the primary case,” Ford said.
"Who is aware of Troy infiltrating as a prisoner?" Zach shifted in his seat.
"Just us, Bravo team, and Sutton, his attorney. Ian’s secretary, Esther is acting as his mom. We’re keeping Homeland in the dark, feeding them programmed information," Mike said. "Our only contacts on the case are Brynn Hackman and Todd Duran."
"The leak must be coming from their office." Tighe balled up his fists.
"We need to check them out. I mean, I hope someone managed to read something off a desk, but..." Noah said.
Mike cut Noah off, "They are two undersecretaries in Homeland. I brought my concerns to Ian and Kieran. Ian said he's handling it."
Elizabeth returned to the floor to find the bloodwork on Ralph Locke was worse than expected. The phone played canned music while waiting for the organ transplant representative. He didn't meet the acceptable criteria, but she had to try. The coordinator confirmed it for her. It would be a matter of time before he died. She paged her residents to the conference room. "Ralph Locke's labs came in. Dr. Keller, I believe you’re assigned to him. What do they mean, and what is our plan?"
"We support him until a liver becomes available," Keller spoke with a naïve surety.
"That would be correct if not for his psychological condition." The sad group discussed palliative care. "Dr. Keller, I'll go with you to tell his parents."
The rest of the day continued at an even pace. Elizabeth stood by the elevator waiting for Patrick, the PAs, and the OR assistants to roll Austin off the floor to remove the ECMO cannulas. "I'll call you, Beth," Patrick said.
Martin walked up beside her. "According to Yelp, the cafeteria makes delicious hamburger hockey pucks."
"They're not bad with cheese and ketchup. Lots of ketchup," she said with mock seriousness.
"You work these hours every day? Is that all you’re going to eat?" A small smoothie sat on her tray.
"I'm not hungry, and to answer your other question, part of it is being a surgeon, but the truth is, I didn't want to be anywhere else or to be with anyone else. I still can't believe this is happening."
"Are you okay with the idea, Sunshine? I am sorry my sisters ambushed you. I jumped the gun; I should've asked you first before I told them. But I don't want to keep us—a secret. Also, if we keep looking at each other the way we are, no one will miss it." He waggled his brows.
Elizabeth took a moment to think. "Marty, I'm scared. Not of you. Not of us. I'm afraid if I’m happy, someone will take you away from me," she whispered the words.
"You can't let that fear keep you from exploring the possibilities." His eyes turned devilish. "A lot of exploring."
Elizabeth's cheeks flushed. "Mmm, you do realize I’ve blushed more in two days than I have in years."
"A beautiful color on you." He gave her the same grin she’d loved from the day she met him.
"Well, Mr. Bailey, I guess we’re official: you're my boyfriend. I'm thirty-eight and going steady."
"Haha, I'm Elizabeth Reed's boyfriend," he cheered.
Elizabeth blushed again and giggled. "We both have careers. I mean, your job is in DC. Would you want me to come and live with you?"
"I want you to come back east with me because you want to. I love you, Elizabeth."
"I love you too. But we aren't naïve teenagers anymore. What about me working?"
"Time brings clarity, Sunshine. Maybe it’s my career or my age, could be both, but I know what I want. I want you by my side. I want you to be happy. If you want to work and how many hours is all up to you. Though I prefer you didn’t work these grueling hours, only because I want to spend time with you. My work hours can be long too, but, as far as I’m concerned, what's mine is yours. I'll be patient for as long as you need. Sharing a bed with you is such a gift, but even without that, you complete me. I only took twenty years to figure it out." His eyes glittered.
