Dr. McNulty joins them for dinner. Afterward, he asks to speak to Sam and Emma. Raleigh goes along. McNulty takes him hostage, demanding to know where It is. Sam strings him along to buy time.
That was all Raleigh needed. He elbowed McNulty and spun out of his grasp. Dropping to the floor, he rolled away. Emma threw a book at the doctor. McNulty made a grab Emma. Sam rushed the doctor. It wasn't his smartest move, but she was in danger.
The short, pudgy doctor made another grab at the girl. Sam's shoulder connected with his flabby gut. Knocking him back a few steps, he did his best to bring the older man down. He felt a sting on his arm, but the needle went flying as Emma took a swing at the doctor's hand. The syringe landed with a clatter on the other side of the room.
Sam's grip weakened and he saw spots. McNulty, sensing he had the advantage, grappled Sam's throat. With his last strength, Sam hit the doctor in the head with his clenched fist. Stunned, McNulty let go. Sam followed Raleigh's lead, rolling away before the older man could snag him again.
Kicking and pushing, Sam crawled away. The doctor tried to follow him, but Emma swept his legs from under him. He landed with a crash. Raleigh lunged at the doctor, hitting him with a body slam. He pinned the shorter man down.
McNulty scrabbled at his pocket and Emma saw he had another syringe. She kicked the doctor in the head, knocking him out.
Sam lay, unmoving, a few feet away. Raleigh was already on the phone. Seconds later, security, police and the nurse raced in.
"Whatever shit he gave him is in a syringe over there," Raleigh pointed to the far side of the room. "He has more in his pocket. Be careful."
The police did a thorough search. The nurse examined Sam. She was a tall, bony woman with steel gray hair, and a commanding voice. She ordered the nearest police officer to carry Sam to his car.
"You take us directly to the hospital, do you hear?" She continued giving orders as they went out.
Emma tried to follow, but the police wouldn't let her go. She fought like a wildcat, screaming so loudly, she brought Molly and the others.
"I'm taking her," Raleigh said. "Carlos, come with me," he commanded. He gave Molly a kiss. "Hold the fort."
"Always. Be safe."
"Always."
The three of them left with a police escort. They were still waiting for news when Frank Tan joined them nearly two hours later. Emma clung to him like a life preserver. Tan held her while she cried.
"They won't tell us anything," Raleigh said, rubbing his face. "We don't even know if he's alive or dead."
The door opened and a tired looking doctor came out. "Family of Sam Masters."
Emma stood, clinging to Detective Tan. "Is he—?" She couldn't bring herself to finish the question.
The doctor smiled. "He's fine. He's kinda beat to hell, and we nearly lost him a couple times, but he's going to be all right."
Emma dashed forward, flinging her arms around his neck. "Thank you! Thank you!" She kissed him on both cheeks.
"May we see him?" Raleigh asked.
Carlos disengaged Emma from the doctor. "She's his fiancée," he explained.
"He's sleeping right now," the doctor explained. "If you'd like to spend the night, we can arrange that."
"He always stays with me," Emma replied. "Please?" she asked Raliegh.
"You bet. I imagine Molly's already packed a bag."
As if on cue, the door opened and Glenn walked in with Vera.
"Molly sent us with a bag for Em," he explained.
"He's okay, right?" Vera's lip trembled.
"He's okay," Emma replied, hugging her friend. "He's okay."
©2020 Dellani Oakes
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