Zero Separation by Philip Donlay

but he hated the deep concern etched in everyone’s eyes.
    â€œWhere’s William?” Lauren asked.
    â€œI just spoke with him,” Donovan replied. “He said he’d meet us back here in a little while.”
    â€œDonovan, what’s going on?” Susan asked again, her patience quickly evaporating.
    â€œThe FBI stopped someone who they think was trying to get to Michael. Nothing happened, Michael’s fine.” Susan’s eyes flew wide then she set her jaw and stepped forward as if getting ready to bolt for her husband’s room. “Hold on, they stepped up security for the time being. The good news is the doctor is on the way, and I’m hoping he’ll give us the go ahead to take Michael home later today. Once we have the go ahead, we’ll put everything into motion.”
    â€œWhy is the FBI involved in this? Some FBI agent started askingme questions about you and Michael. She kept asking me how long I’d known you and William, and how long you and William had been associates. When William finally showed up, she asked him the same questions. When William asked her why she needed to know, she excused herself. It was strange.”
    â€œDon’t worry about her—she’s just doing her job,” Donovan said. He gave the whole episode a dismissive shrug, but inside, his internal alarms were going off. Lauren, too, made the same observation and shot Donovan a momentary look that spoke volumes. Montero was digging, trying to make a connection that stretched back twenty years.
    A nurse stuck her head above the counter at the nurses’ station. “Mr. Nash, Dr. Richardson just arrived and is in with Mr. Ross.”
    â€œThank you.” Donovan gently handed Abigail back to Lauren. “Susan, let’s go see what the doctor has to say.”
    â€œBoys, I’ll be right back.” Susan said.
    â€œWe want to come,” Patrick said.
    â€œNot this time,” Susan said. “Donovan and I need to talk to the doctor first. Afterward, you can see your dad.”
    â€œWe’ll be good,” Billy pleaded.
    â€œI know you will, sweetie. I’ll be right back.” Susan followed Donovan’s lead.
    Once they were halfway down the corridor, Susan put her hand out and stopped him. “Tell me what in the hell happened while we were gone, and I mean everything!”
    â€œI didn’t want to say anything in front of the boys. Someone tried to shoot Michael, someone connected to what happened last night.”
    Her eyes filled with tears of disbelief as what Donovan was telling her registered. “Someone tried to kill him? Here?”
    Donovan nodded.
    â€œOh my God.” Her hand flew to her mouth. “Did they catch the guy?”
    â€œYeah, they got him.”
    Susan shook her head in anger and disbelief as she hurried tobe with her husband. A nurse was waiting at the door to steer them into the room, but not before Susan took a peek into the room across the hall. The body was still there, and Susan stopped abruptly and turned toward Donovan. “Were you with him when it happened?”
    â€œI slowed the guy down long enough for the FBI to arrive. They did the rest.”
    Donovan eased Susan forward, moving her into her husband’s room.
    â€œDoctor,” Susan went to Michael’s side and placed his hand inside hers, “is my husband okay, can we take him home?”
    â€œAs far as I can tell it appears he suffered no ill effects from the earlier incident. But it’s far too soon to think about releasing him.”
    Donovan stepped into the conversation. “Doctor, it’s now in Michael’s best interest to be transported back to Virginia as soon as possible. His safety, as well as everyone else’s, is in jeopardy here. Is he physically able to make the trip?”
    â€œThat depends on several factors,” Richardson replied. “How would this transport be