Free Zero Separation by Philip Donlay Page B

explode.
    Donovan watched with interest as the man pushed past Montero and stepped into the room across the hall.
    The man blew out of the room moments later and turned to face Montero, his jaw muscles worked back and forth in what appeared to be a mixture of anger and frustration. He shook his head, and then turned toward Donovan as if seeing him for the first time. “Who are you? Why are you here?”
    â€œI’m Donovan Nash. Who are you?”
    â€œI’m Hamilton Burgess.”
    â€œSir, I was just about to escort Mr. Nash down to the emergency room to be examined,” Montero said.
    â€œI’m fine,” Donovan said.
    â€œSpecial Agent Montero,” Burgess said, “you’re done here.You’ve been involved in a shooting. You know the drill. I’m placing you on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.”
    Montero lowered her voice. “I recognized the guy in there. He’s one of the people who may have been responsible for Alec’s death. He’s not even supposed to be in the country. Our intelligence sources place him in Venezuela. We need to find out why he’s here and why he tried to kill Mr. Ross.”
    â€œPlease, no more talk.” Burgess held up his hand. “You know how this works. The Inspection Division will conduct its investigation. You’ll cooperate fully with them. Once you give them your statement, go back to the office, finish the paperwork, then go home. No argument. You’ll hear from me when the shooting review board schedules the hearing.”
    Montero pivoted smartly and walked away, and then she stopped, turned, and said, “Nash is clean. You can let him go.”
    Donovan turned to Burgess after Montero was gone. “Just for the record, I’m not amused with what’s taken place here today. Your agency, your agent, put a man at risk.”
    â€œYou’ll get your chance to make a statement,” Burgess replied.
    â€œAs soon as we can get clearance from the doctor to move Mr. Ross, we’re out of here.”
    â€œFeel free to do what you need to do, I can’t stop you. Where do you intend to take him?” Burgess asked.
    â€œWe’re flying him to Washington, D.C.”
    â€œOfficially, he’s a key witness to a felony, but under the circumstances I have no problem with a transfer as long as you agree to cooperate with our Washington office. I’ll arrange for someone to follow up and take a statement from Mr. Ross when he’s conscious. Can I get your assurances on that point?”
    Donovan nodded. “Can you make sure Michael is protected until all of our arrangements are made?”
    â€œIt’s already done,” Burgess replied. “But before you go, I want to tell you that I’m not making apologies for Special AgentMontero or my department. She’s a good agent. I wish I had ten more just like her. You can file whatever complaint you want, but keep in mind what the end result was here today.”
    Relieved that Burgess didn’t try to stop him, Donovan hurried back to the nurses’ station. The nurse he’d spoken with earlier assured him that they’d found Dr. Richardson and that he was on his way up. Relieved that he seemed to making some progress, Donovan was standing there when the elevator opened and out stepped Lauren, Susan, and the kids. They all stopped at the sight of the activity in what they fully expected to be a quiet wing of the hospital.
    Donovan worked his way in their direction.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Susan asked, holding her boys close. “They almost wouldn’t let us up here.”
    Lauren held a sleeping Abigail. Donovan hugged Susan and shook the boys’ hands. Then he took his daughter from Lauren. Abigail stirred briefly but continued to sleep, and Donovan reveled in how good it felt to hold his little girl. He’d missed her. In fact, it was good to see familiar faces,