Page 46 of The Flame of Carson
Atwisted smiled formedas he snapped picture after picture of Gage.Watching the unmovable Sergeant Gage Carson having a freaking panic attack outside the fed building was priceless.He was so glad he was here to witness this.He continued snapping away with his camera watching Gage pull out a cell phone and calling someone.Oh, how he wished he had been able to place a bug on Carson and Stacey’s phones.What he wouldn’t give to hear this call.Yet, he also knew that Blackout had more toys to sniff out bugs than most government agencies.He had seen that earlier this year when the Malconi family had been taken down and two years ago with Carter Ingram.No.He was not going to make any mistakes that could get him caught.He would be patient.
Tucking his camera away and slipping his Ray-bans back on, he slowly pulled away from the curb and into traffic.As he passed the federal building, he saw Gage sitting on the edge of a concrete planter, the former Marine’s head in his hands with his elbows resting on his knees.Yes, he would be patient.This was a mission he would not fail.He would have the pleasure of watching Gage Carson fail.
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Ethan paced outsidethe emergency room.When Gage had called him an hour ago, Ethan knew something was wrong.His friend and second in command had sounded winded like he had run a marathon.When he pulled up outside the federal building, he found Gage almost hyperventilating sitting on the cement wall around the flagpoles.Ethan didn’t think, he just got Gage into his truck and hauled ass to the nearest hospital.Now, he was just waiting to find out what the hell was happening with Gage.
“Ethan.”Ethan turned to see Tony and Lance walking toward him.“What’s going on?”Lance demanded.
“I don’t know.The damned doctor hasn’t come out yet.I get a call from Gage and the bastard sounded like he was having a heart attack or something.I get there and he’s shaking, pale as a sheet.He was sitting on the barrier around the flagpoles damned near hyperventilating.I just got him in my truck and came here.”Ethan hissed.“Tony, what the hell happened at the meeting?”
Tony sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, “It was FUBAR boss.We went into the room and Gage lost his shit.He grabs our guy and just hauls him out of the chair.I bodily shoved him out of the room and told him to go for a walk.Me and Elias had just finished with our hacker when you called.”
“Does Stacey know yet?”Lace asked.
“No.Grant just texted me before Gage called saying he had dropped her back at her office.I told him to head to Blackout and I would be there soon.”Ethan sighed.
Before Lance or Tony could say another word, the doors opened, and a doctor came walking toward them.“I’m Dr.Dennison.You three here about Mr.Carson?”
“How is he doc?”Ethan nodded.
“Better than he was an hour ago.Your friend had a severe panic attack.”The doctor answered.
“He had a what?”Lance frowned.
“A panic attack.Mr.Blackstone, you said when he was brought in that he is a coworker and friend.May I ask what line of work you do?”Dennison questioned.
“Gage is one of the founders of Blackout Security.I, Gage, Lance, and Tony here and our fifth partner Grant, all founded the firm after we were discharged from the Marines.”Ethan replied.
“Has Mr.Carson been under any unusual stress lately?”When Dennison saw the three men’s hesitation he sighed, “Gentlemen, I understand the code of honor and client confidentiality, but right now your friend and teammate is back there and in order for me to help him I need full disclosure?Understood?”
“About a month ago we took on a case and it involves his...well, his girl.The guy stalking her is running us in circles Doc.”Tony spoke up, yet guilt filled him as he did.
“I see.”Dennison nodded.
“Damn it, I saw this morning just how deep he was getting on this case.I should have...”Ethan began.
“Stop right there Mr.Blackstone.I’ve seen these kinds of attacks before in law enforcement and federal agents during a case that hits close to home.I have also seen it in soldiers’ home after a rough deployment or just discharged.In attacks like what your friend had, there are not always warnings.These are called unexpected attacks.I have also seen them happen to people who have never had a history of panic attacks.”Dennison said.
“What can we do for Gage?”Lance asked.
“Right now, what he needs is rest.As for the immediate future, I would keep him as far from this case as you can but given that you told me his significant other is the center of this case, that may be difficult to accomplish.I will leave it to you to manage that front.He is getting dressed and should be out momentarily.I also wrote him a prescription just in case he has another attack to help calm him down.”Dennison explained, handing Ethan a slip of paper.“We also gave him a shot with a mild relaxer to calm him.He may be a bit groggy for the next hour or two.”
“Thanks doc.”Ethan said.As Dennison walked away, he faced Lance and Tony.“Well, what do we do now?Tell Stacey?”
“She’ll kick our asses if we don’t Ethan.”Lance stated.
“I’m with Lance there.We need to tell her.The bigger question, how the hell do we keep Gage off this?”Tony added.
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“Um Stacey?”
“Judy, I thought you left?”Stacey asked, slipping manuscripts into her bag.
