Page 18 of Charmed Forces
“I... I don’t... my gun is gone,” said Daniel, patting his hip.
“You didn’t have it with you when you got here,” I told him. “Solomon removed your ankle holster.”
“Howdidyou get here?” asked Solomon.
“I was running... and... it’s still hazy.” Daniel closed his eyes and rested his head on his hands, placing his elbows firmly on the island and supporting his head… barely. I tried to hold him. If he slipped and cracked his head, he’d be in a worse place than he was now.
“What case were you working on?” I asked. “Can you remember that?”
“I can’t talk about it.”
“But you do remember?” I pressed.
Daniel nodded and glanced toward the door. “I need to get back there.”
“You can’t,” said Solomon, “but the more you tell us right now, the better for you. Let’s start with something easier. What kind of case was it?”
“Witness protection. We were assigned to guard them and wait for the US Marshals.”
“Did they come?”
“No, they aren’t due for two days. They wouldn’t come until after.”
“After what?” I asked.
Daniel’s head sunk a little lower and Solomon pulled him upright, snapping his fingers in front of my brother’s eyes.
“When did you get to the safe house?” asked Solomon.
“I got there this morning. I think. What day is it now?”
“The day after I saw you having dinner,” I said.
“Right.” Daniel nodded. “Right. That was yesterday. Today is today.”
“And how many of you were there?” When Daniel hesitated, Solomon asked, “How many officers aside from you were assigned to the case?”
“Four. We could manage with four guys. Well, three guys and a lady.” Daniel’s words still slurred together but were getting clearer.
Solomon and I exchanged glances and I knew what he was thinking:finally.
“Who brought the pizza?” I asked.
“What pizza?”
“Doesn’t matter. Any chance you were followed there?”
“I would have made the usual checks.”
“But you don’t remember?”
Daniel blinked and shook his head. “No.”
“Whom were you protecting?” asked Solomon.
“I can’t tell you that.”
“Do you remember what happened to them?”