Get up! Get up and get moving or you're dead! But he couldn't get up. All he could do was lie on his stomach, panting through the burning pain centered in his left shoulder. He could feel warm blood wetting the front of his shirt and he knew... the bullet went all the way through.

  Behind him, he could hear footsteps approaching. He gritted his teeth and, using his good arm, dragged himself forward. "Come on," he ground out, edging toward the cover of the paving stone, knowing somewhere in the back of his mind that it was pointless but unable to stop himself, unwilling to just give up.

  "Problem, sport?"

  Blair closed his eyes, dropping his forehead against the hard ground as Jerry's voice came from right beside him. Dammit! He should have known this wouldn't work. Should have known--

  Rough hands grabbed at him, hauling him to his feet. He cried out as the harsh movement sent waves of pain through his aching shoulder.

  "Where is she?" Jerry demanded, turning Blair to face him, holding his arms in a vise-like grip. "Where did Edwards go?"

  Blair locked his gaze with Jerry's, glared up at him defiantly, and said nothing.

  "Fine. Don't tell me. It's not like she can get out of here." Grabbing him by the right arm, Jerry dragged Blair alongside him. "I'll just get rid of you like I planned to in the first place. Then I'll find Susan and take care of her."

  /

  /

  /

  Susan stood at the door of the trailer, desperately trying to get it open. It's locked! It can't be locked. It can't! She'd heard the two gunshots... and Blair's cries of pain. Her gaze darted to Jerry's car. Maybe he left the keys in it. Maybe I can drive right through the fence.

  She scrambled down the steps and sprinted toward the car, her breath coming in short pants. But the doors were locked, the windows closed. She slammed her palm against the hood of the car, frustration winding through her. What am I going to do? How do I get out of here?

  The sound of an engine caught her attention. She spun toward the entrance of the construction site just as a pickup truck crashed through the closed gate. The blue and white Ford bounced over the uneven ground, the strobing light on the dashboard washing the area in red and blue. The truck skidded to a stop just a few feet from her and Detective Ellison got out. In the distance, the sound of sirens reached her. It's almost over, she thought to herself.

  She ran to Detective Ellison. "Oh, thank God. Thank God!" She gripped the front of his jacket, her hands fisted in the material. "Jerry's gone after Blair. He--"

  "Where is he?" Jim spat out, pushing her away.

  She flinched back from him, taken off guard by the anger in his voice and action. "I don't know. Blair was luring him away. I... I think Jerry shot him."

  Ellison turned away from her, his gaze scanning the grounds, his head cocked to one side, his jaw locked tight.

  "They might--"

  "Quiet!" Ellison's hand jerked up, emphasizing his command. His gaze darted to the right. Reaching behind him, he pulled his weapon from its holster. "When backup arrives, send them to the west end of the lot." He turned toward her, his blue eyes boring into her. "You understand?"

  She nodded, and before she could say another word he was gone, jogging quietly into the darkness.

  /

  /

  /

  Jim ran across the construction site, following the sound of Blair's pain-filled breathing, the scent of his blood.

  "Guess you're rethinking this whole 'honestly is the best policy' thing, huh?" Cutter's sarcastic remark carried across the night air, easily reaching Jim.

  "I hear sirens, man," Blair's gasping voice replied. "The police are going to be here any minute."

  "Then I guess I'd better hurry."

  Jerry Cutter's terse words powered Jim's stride, forcing him to move faster. Up ahead, less than twenty feet away, he could see the two men poised on the edge of a precipice. Cutter stood before Blair, a gun leveled at his partner's chest.

  "You're about to become part of the waste, sport."

  Jim locked his arms forward and took aim.

  /

  /

  /

  "Police! Freeze!"

  Blair's gaze jerked toward the sound of Jim's voice. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jerry turn, the gun he held changing aim, pointing at Jim. Panic seized Blair. "No!" He charged Jerry, knocking his arm up and back. The gun discharged, the bullet going wild.

  And beneath his feet, Blair felt the stones... shift.

  Jerry's eyes, locked with his, went wide as the ledge of stones they stood on slid sideways, spilling over the side of the pit. Both men cried out as their feet went out from under them and they slipped over the edge. Blair's shoulder flared in pain as he hit the rocky slope. He released his hold on Jerry and struggled with his good arm, trying to find a hold, to keep himself from tumbling down the steep incline.

  Just as his body began to slip away from the edge a strong, sure hand locked around his groping fingers, abruptly halting his fall. He twisted his body and looked up into Jim's anxious eyes.

  "I gotcha, buddy."

  Jim hauled Blair up and over the side, pulling him back several feet and settling him on solid ground. Blair sat with his head forward, his eyes closed, taking in deep breaths, waiting for the dizzying pain in his shoulder to subside.

  "You okay?" A gentle hand touched his good shoulder, gripping lightly.

  "Yeah," he breathed, "Just give me a minute here." When he felt he could look up without passing out, Blair opened his eyes. Jim was crouched down in front of him, his mouth pulled into a tight line of worry. "Hey, man, don't look so grim. I'm fine."

  "Sandburg," Jim began, his voice edged with anger, "What were thinking, charging that guy like that?"

  Blair held Jim's gaze as thoughts of another man taking aim and shooting his partner flitted across his memory. "I was thinking that I didn't want him to shoot you," Blair said softly. His mouth quirked up on one side in a lopsided grin. "Been there, man. Done that. Didn't want to do it again."

  The anger in Jim's eyes gave way to understanding, then a small smile touched at the detective's mouth. Reaching out, he brushed a few stray hairs back from Blair's forehead. "I understand. Thanks, Chief." He dropped his hand away from Blair's face and pointed a finger at him. "But next time, let me worry about the bad guy's aim. That little stunt nearly launched you over the side of this thing. You could have broken your neck."

  At the mention of the pit, Blair leaned around Jim and looked over at the edge. Scooting forward cautiously, he peered into the gaping hole; aided by the dim light of an overhead security light, he could see Jerry's dark, unmoving form below. "He's not dead, is he?" Sandburg asked his partner.

  Jim shook his head. "Just unconscious." The detective turned his full attention on Blair, his eyes narrowing slightly as he zeroed in on the blood staining the front of Blair's jacket. "Let's see what's going on here."

  Blair hissed through gritted teeth as Jim gently peeled his jacket and shirt away from his shoulder.

  The sentinel leaned in close, his brow furrowed as he studied the wound. "Well, Chief," he said at last, leaning back on his heels, "You have a hole in your shoulder."

  "Yeah? I kind of guessed that."

  Jim released Blair's shirt and his hand shifted to Blair's arm, patting gently. He stood. "Okay, Sandburg, why don't you wait here while I go get the paramedics."

  "I'm fine, Jim," Blair protested. "I can go to them." He raised his right hand up toward his partner. "Just help me up."

  "Sandburg-"

  "Jim, please. Just help me up."

  Jim shook his head but did as Blair asked, grasping his hand and pulling him to his feet. Blair swayed slightly where he stood, momentarily dizzy. Jim's hand pressed at his back, offering support.

  "Chief?"

  "I'm okay." He smiled up at his partner. "Just unsteady for a second there but I'm doing all right now." He took two steps, his knees buckled, and he sat down hard on the ground.

  Jim crouched down in front of him, concern darkening his eyes. "You okay, Chief?"

  "Yeah," Blair ground out as waves of pain cascaded through his shoulder. "But you know what?" He lifted his finger as an idea hit him. "Why I don't I just wait here while you go get the paramedics?"

  Jim chuckled lightly. "That sounds like a good plan." He stood and turned to go.

  "Jim?" Blair called out to him.

  The sentinel turned back to his partner, his eyebrows raised in curiosity.

  "Thanks for coming, man."

  Jim smiled warmly and winked at his friend. "Anytime, buddy. Anytime."

  /

  /

  /

  Eli Stoddard looked up as his hospital door swished opened. Blair Sandburg stood there, peeking into the room, his eyes widening at the sight of the professor sitting up in bed, watching him.

  "Hey, you are awake!" Blair stepped into the room, a broad smile spreading across his face. "When one of the nurses down in Emergency told me, I got up here as fast as I could." He stopped beside the bed, looking fondly down at the professor. "You have no idea how worried I was about you," he said softly.

  Stoddard looked up at the young man and reached out to pat gently at his arm. "Not half as worried as I was when they told me you'd been brought in with a gunshot wound." He nodded toward the sling. "What happened?"

  Blair rolled his eyes. "It's a very long story, Professor. And to be honest, I'm too tired tonight to tell you it all." He leaned closer. "Plus, those sadists down in ER gave me some Demerol and I have a feeling that once that kicks in, Jim may have to carry me out of here."

  Stoddard laughed. "I see. So, is your detective friend here?" He looked past Blair, back to the door, but it remained closed.

  "He's downstairs on the phone talking to our captain, filling him in on what happened. We're going to have a ton of paperwork to fill out come morning." He smiled good-naturedly and sat down in the chair beside the bed.

  "Can I at least assume this has something to do with Susan Edwards and her thesis?"

  Blair nodded. "I'm afraid so. I followed your paper trail and came to what I can only assume was your conclusion--that her thesis was falsified."

  Eli let out a long sigh. "The girl had a bright future ahead of her. Too bad she threw it all away for money."

  Blair leaned toward the bed, his gaze troubled. "Professor," he began haltingly, "It wasn't just Susan. Chancellor Edwards was involved too."

  Eli considered his words for a moment. "Well," he said at last, shaking his head sadly, "I can't say I'm totally surprised. I never did understand why that woman insisted that I take her daughter on that trip. And then when Susan went off on her own research so quickly after arriving in Borneo... well, it all seemed odd to me, but I've never been the overly suspicious type. Maybe I should have been." He glanced over at Blair and frowned. The young man sat with his head down, his expression grim. "Blair? Something wrong, my boy? You look troubled."

  Blair looked up at his mentor, then ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back from his face. "I was just thinking. I mean, I know Chancellor Edwards and Susan brought this on themselves..."

  "But?" Eli prompted when Blair didn't continue.

  "But I hate the idea of anyone losing their entire career," he admitted, his voice low, concerned. "I know how hard I've worked to get where I am. I know what it would do to me if something like this happened-"

  "This would never happen to you, Blair." Stoddard held his gaze. "You have too much integrity to ever put yourself in this kind of situation."

  Blair dropped his gaze, blushing slightly. "Thank you, sir."

  "There's no reason to thank me. I'm simply stating the truth. But I understand your feelings--it's hard to see anyone lose their academic positions."

  "Do you think they will?" Blair asked. "Lose their positions at Rainier, I mean?"

  Eli nodded slowly. "Yes," he acknowledged softly, "I can almost guarantee that they will."

  Leaning back in his chair, Blair exhaled a long, tired sigh. "I figured as much." He closed his eyes and rubbed at them with one hand, his exhaustion clear.

  "Blair," Stoddard said softly, reaching over to lay his hand against Blair's arm, "Why don't you go home. They're taking good care of me here, so you don't need to worry. Go home and get some rest."

  Blair nodded. "Yeah, I'm about done in here." He stood shakily, looked down at Stoddard, and offered a small smile. "But don't think all of this changes that dinner invitation. I still expect you to come over."

  Eli laughed lightly. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

  Part Six

  "Why don't you let me help you with that, Chief?" Jim offered for the third time in the past hour. The kid had been struggling all night to prepare dinner using just his right arm.

  Pulling the wooden spoon from the pot of pasta he was stirring, Blair waved it menacingly at his partner. "Because," he said with authority, "I told you there would be no hovering while I'm in this thing." He gestured down at the sling that cradled his left arm against his chest.

  Jim sighed. "I told you before, Sandburg, I do not hover."

  Blair rolled his eyes in exasperation before giving Jim a knowing look. "Uh huh."

  "Fine," Jim bit out in feigned annoyance, "But the next time you need help, I'm going to remind you of this little incident and you're going to be sorry."

  Blair snorted. "Yeah, right." He pointed toward the couches with his spoon. "Go. Dr. Stoddard is going to be here any minute and your hovering is putting me behind schedule."

  Jim threw his hands up in a gesture of surrender. He crossed into the living area and had just dropped down on the couch when a light knock sounded on the door.

  He started to get up, but Blair glared at him from the kitchen, then moved toward the door. Jim settled back down, letting his partner answer the knock.

  "Dr. Stoddard!" Blair exclaimed, his excitement evident in his voice. "Come in."

  Jim stood as the professor stepped inside and handed a bottle of wine to Blair. The man was probably in his early sixties, yet a glimmer of curiosity and vibrancy shone forth from the dark blue eyes, making him appear ten years younger. He had a kind face, and his expression took on a definite fondness when he looked at Blair. Jim liked the professor immediately.

  Dr. Stoddard turned an appraising look on the loft, his gaze sweeping the entire expanse before settling on Jim.

  "You must be Detective Ellison." He stepped forward, a wide smile on his face, his hand extended.

  Jim shook the professor's outstretched hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

  Professor Stoddard covered Jim's hand with his free one, squeezing hard. "Oh, the pleasure is mine, Detective."

  "Please, it's Jim."

  Stoddard's smile increased. "Jim," he said simply. "And you may call me Eli." He released Jim's hand and turned back to Blair. "You need to open that wine, my boy. Let it breathe a while."

  "Right." Blair looked down at the cork in the top of the bottle, then to his sling. He stood still for a long moment, obviously thinking about his current dilemma. Before long, he raised a hopeful gaze to Jim.

  The sentinel crossed his arms over his chest and smiled smugly at his guide. "What's the matter, Chief? Need some help?"

  Blair glared at him. "You're just loving this, aren't you?"

  Dr. Stoddard's gaze shifted from Blair to Jim and back again. "Did I miss something?"

  Jim chuckled and took the bottle from his partner. Smiling over at the professor, he shook his head. "Just Sandburg being his usual stubborn self." He fished the corkscrew out of the junk drawer and, opening the bottle, set it on the table before gesturing toward the living area. "Professor, why don't you have a seat and we-"

  "Um, Jim?" Blair cut in.

  Jim glanced at him, raising one eyebrow in question.

  "Maybe Dr. Stoddard would like to see the view we have from the balcony." Blair turned his gaze on Eli. "It's really great, Professor. I know you'll love it."

  Jim narrowed his eyes as he stared at Blair. The kid obviously wanted to give them some time alone without him running interference between them. Jim motioned toward the glass doors. "Sure, Chief. Just call us when everything's ready. Or if you need any help," he added under his breath, reaching up to tap Blair on the forehead.

  Blair slapped at Jim's hand in mock irritation and turned back to the kitchen. "I will," he called over his shoulder.

  The two men stepped outside, Jim closing the door behind them. The cool, early evening air felt good against his skin. He looked over to see Dr. Stoddard staring out beyond the brightly lit buildings of Cascade, to where the sky was just beginning to show shades of pink and orange across the horizon.

  Dr. Stoddard pulled his gaze away from the night sky and smiled over at Jim. "Blair always has been a subtle one, hasn't he?" he commented.

  Jim grinned at the twinkle in the professor's eye. "Oh, yes. Sandburg is about as subtle as a steamroller." He motioned for Dr. Stoddard to take one of the deck chairs. "I'd say the message was clear. He wants us to be able to talk for a while without him around." Lowering himself into the chair beside the professor, Jim leaned back and looked out at the cityscape.

  "He was right, though," Dr. Stoddard said, gazing at the water and the towering skyline of Cascade. "You do have a spectacular view."

  "We enjoy it. After seeing the worst of Cascade on a daily basis, it's nice to be able to come home and see that it still has some beauty as well as ugliness."

  Stoddard turned toward Jim, his expression becoming suddenly serious. "I know we have much to discuss, Jim. But before we begin, I want to thank you for something."

  "Thank me?" Jim asked, confused. "For what?"

  "For taking care of Blair over the past four years." Stoddard glanced briefly behind him, into the loft then, lowering his voice, continued, "As you must know, Blair is quite special to me. Part of my reason for wanting to take him to Borneo with me had nothing to do with his academic excellence." The older man paused, then continued thoughtfully, "I had a feeling things might become difficult for him on campus once he began working so closely with your department. Our former chancellor could be... well, judgmental and unforgiving at times."