"Things are starting to make sense, Martin. I’m worried for Troy.”
“Thanks, Ford, I’m worried too. Pass this on to Mike. He’ll need to bring in more help to put eyes on all these people.”
Martin stepped off the elevator and ran into his anxious father. "Dad, what's wrong?"
"Austin. He's all upset and wants to talk to you. He's gonna hurt himself." Dennis rocked on his heels.
"I'll talk to him." He took deep breaths as they walked to Austin's room.
The PA sighed. "I am about to sedate him. He needs to calm down."
Austin was struggling to breathe. "Dad...Livvy, I need to talk to Marty." His face was a pasty gray.
"Austin Bailey, listen to these PAs." Dennis left with Olivia.
Martin sat beside him. "You sound like a frog and look like a toad. I'm here. Breathe easy and slow." When Austin started to speak, Martin held up a finger until his breathing effort eased. "Go slow."
Austin thudded his head against the pillows. "I had a dream or a memory, not sure."
"Tell me." Martin took his hand and squeezed. "Easy."
Austin choked on his saliva, and the monitor flashed red. "I was walking along the drainage ditch and heard a sound, maybe a cry. A man lay on a black piece of plastic, beaten to a pulp, naked, and almost castrated."
Martin helped him take a sip of water. "I'm here." His own heart rate was climbing.
Austin closed his eyes; "I thought he was dead. I asked his name...Hank. A dust cloud. Two in black. M-16s. I held my hands up." Sweat dripped from his brow.
"Shh," Martin soothed.
"What did he say?" Austin pleaded.
"You were alone by the time the ambulance came." He grabbed a cloth and wiped the sweat from his brother’s brow.
Austin continued to struggle and cough. "There was a man, Marty. I swear."
Martin hated to ask, "Is that why you called me? I think there was a man. I think he and the little girl are related to a violent pornography ring." He held Austin’s hand.
Austin ran a hand through his hair. "I called you? Yeah, I called you. I wanted to ask your opinion... The guards, he said the guards beat him." He rolled his head from side to side.
"Aus, you’re making yourself sick. Count to ten with me." Martin sagged in the chair.
Austin continued to fight. "Who is investigating my shooting?"
"Logan."
"Don't trust Logan. Can you..."
"I won't let you down. Whoever shot you will be brought to justice. Please, your only job now is to heal." Martin managed to get Austin to breathe a little slower.
"Is Elizabeth coming? I want to thank her." Austin’s heart rate was slowing.
He closed his eyes and sighed, reopening them with an empty gaze. "Elizabeth's in the bed next door. She collapsed. The doctors think someone poisoned her. She's very sick."
"Why? Is anyone investigating?" Any effort to calm him dissipated.
"Blake."
"Blake is an idiot. I'll ask Shaun to reach out to you. He's a good guy." Austin used the bed control to sit up. "He can help find out who hurt her. Shit, Marty, she's gonna be alright. She has to be. God, I wish I handled things another way the day you sent me over to find out why Elizabeth didn’t answer your letters from boot camp and Talbot stopped me. I didn't try as hard as I could. After Talbot threatened me, I got scared. I'm so sorry," he panted.
