Avery did as told, crying harder as he asked, "What happens to me now?"
"That's up to the district attorney. You're old enough to be tried as an adult, but that decision will be up to them," Amy explained.
"What about Grandpa? He's out front, waiting for me to get done here." Avery's voice cracked with emotion, and he trembled as Franks tightened the cuffs.
"We'll let him know what's happening," Franks promised.
As he handed Avery off to the officer who would take him to holding, Franks sighed. Telling the grandfather what had happened was not a conversation he wanted to have.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Lance glanced up as Franks walked into the hospital room. He smiled as he took the chocolate shake that Franks handed to him. "Thanks."
"Thought you could use something sweet." Franks took a seat in the chair near the window.
"You smell like cigarette smoke." Lance took a pull on the straw, closing his eyes at the flavor.
"I know. I'm struggling. This…" He waved his hand toward Angus. "…Has been a bit much to deal with."
"Don't have to tell me. I can't tell you how many times I've debated on having Jackson bring me in a bottle of something to numb the emotions." Lance stared at Angus's still body. "But I can't do that. Angus would never forgive me for not keeping it together. I'm not going to bitch at you for smoking a few cigarettes if it helps keep your head clear."
"Thanks. I'm doing enough self-degradation for both of us. It won't become a habit again, I swear it won't." Franks sighed. "He'll make me quit again once he wakes up. He hates the smell of it on me in the car when we're working together."
Lance laughed. "Yeah, he does. Still, there are worse things you could be doing to deal with all of this. Trust me, I've considered many of them."
"How are you holding up?"
Lance shrugged. "It changes moment to moment. Mostly, I keep telling myself I have to keep it together because I need to be here for him once he wakes up. I'm not about to risk going off on a bender just to have him wake up while I'm sleeping it off. Once he's home safe, then I might ask Lizzy for a joint and spend a night drinking."
Franks nodded. "And I might just join you for that."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, both enjoying their shakes as they watched Angus. It was a peaceful silence. One that Lance was thankful for. He was tired of everyone asking how he was doing. Tired of everyone trying to get him to go home for a night. He was where he wanted to be. Where he needed to be.
"Did you get your shooter?" Lance asked.
Franks nodded. "The son admitted to everything. Was upset his parents were going to divorce. Such a waste. Two dead, a young man going to prison, and two young girls who will be stuck growing up with this hanging over their head. Sometimes I just can't understand people."
"Any news on the explosion?"
"Nothing much. They think the ignition area was the bakery next door. We're still trying to piece together everything. We have a meeting in the morning to share information. ATF will be there, so hopefully we get something that we can move forward with. I refuse to believe we won't get answers. Someone needs to pay for this." Franks nodded toward Angus.
"Could be a maintenance issue. Faulty equipment. Maybe there isn't anyone to blame." Lance sighed.
"Even then, someone installed faulty equipment or maintained it wrong. This doesn't just happen. If it did, we'd have buildings blowing up all over the place." Franks leaned forward, resting his hands on his thighs. "They've called in specialists in every area I can think of. One of them has to find something that can tell us what caused this."
Lance nodded. "I'll leave that to you. I just want Angus to open his eyes and tell me he's okay. It's the only thing that matters."
"How much longer will they keep him in a coma?" Franks asked.
"Days, maybe weeks. They'll run more tests on Wednesday, see how he's healing. This is my life now, waiting day by day for any news. Today I look forward to Wednesday. On Wednesday they'll give me another day to look forward to."
"Have you gone home at all?" Franks asked.
Lance shook his head.
"Damn it, Lance. You have to take care of yourself. Let me sit here with him tonight and you go home. I'll call Gretta to pick you up. Get a hot shower and sleep in a comfortable bed for a few hours. Hug your damn dog and remember you have a life outside of this hospital room."
Lance smiled. "I miss Haunt, but no. My life right now is here. I need to be with him. Once he wakes up and I know he'll be okay, I'll go home more, but right now, I just can't leave him."
