TONY D AND BRUCE HAD BEEN in Florida for well over a few hours and traffic from the airport was brutal and a tad insane. Tony was about to lose his temper but kept his composure when he realized they had finally reached the exit that would take them to the hospital where the Senator was being treated for his unknown ailment. While their deployment was not voluntary Tony could understand his boss' desire to have his own people on the scene instead of some random suits from the local branch. Since he and Bruce had easy access to a quick jet and were already out on the field, it was logical for them to make a quick detour to appease the director. In the end this would put Tony in his boss' good books, which never hurt if he needed a huge favor from him down the road should things get sticky when trying to run someone down. He was tempted to use that favor to get his director to put some extra pressure down on those big pharm companies to give up what they knew about Carter. If there was anyone who could shake the tree and get them to spill the beans about what Carter was working on, it was his boss. This is why Tony was willing to do the grunt work when requested as it all worked out to help him in the end. He was well aware that if he scratched the director's back, then Tony would get his back scratched when he needed it most.
As they pulled into the gate that led to the parking lot, they stopped to speak with the guards. Tony whipped out a badge as Bruce did the same.
"Special Agent Deacon and Agent Kern, FBI." Tony started, "We're here to look around, ask some questions and do a little investigating. You know... typical federal agent stuff. Our director should have called ahead to give you all a heads up that we were coming."
The guard went back to the book and had the other guard make a call to validate their claims. Less than a minute later, he returned to the car.
"Go on in, Agent Deacon," he replied. "Good luck with your investigation."
"Thank you," Tony said with a wave as he drove past the checkpoint and into the parking garage below inside the hospital.
Tony drove around the parking lot for a good three minutes until he finally found a spot that he was happy with. He could tell that Bruce was confused by his selection, so he pointed to the gate.
"This spot has easy access to the only tunnel out," Tony observed, "If we need to make a run or just block off the exit, then this is the best parking space to do make it happen."
Bruce didn't realize that view and nodded before getting out of the car. As they were both walking towards the elevators, Tony noticed something.
"There's a car with Georgia plates," Tony said, pointing to the car.
"You do realize the state is next door, right?" Bruce replied sarcastically.
"I get it," Tony said, as he understood. "That's like saying 'hey, there's a New Jersey plate in New York'. It's more common down here, isn't it?"
Bruce gave Tony a stern look.
"What isn't common," Bruce continued, "Is that this vehicle is parked in a handicapped spot with no tags or stickers."
"So, what do you want to do?" Tony asked, "Give him a ticket?"
"Well," Bruce said, as he was thinking about it.
"Let it go," Tony interrupted him, "We're not here to play meter maid. We're here because some a-hole too a direct shot at one of our political leaders. An attack on a man like that is an attack on our democracy, and our very way of life. I admire your skills of observation but get your head back in the game. Remember why we're here!"
"I understand," Bruce replied, "I want to get back on Carter's trail as much as you do. So, let's take care of this."
"Now that's what I want to hear." Tony said as he hit the button and waited for the elevator to arrive. "Who do you think we should talk with first?"
"Secret Service," Bruce responded as if it were a test. "Might be better to let them know we're here, so we don't step on too many toes while trying to gather information. Also, would be nice to not be mistaken for a reporter."
"Good call," Tony said as they got onto the elevator.
It took them only a few moments to ride up to the floor they were instructed to head up to. Once the doors opened, Tony and Bruce walked out and started to look around the floor. Security was visible and considering what happened it was no surprising that they had doubled the Senator's detail, maybe even tripled it. Tony walked up to and grabbed the first agent in a suit they could find. Before the man could speak, Tony interrupted him by flashing his credentials.
"Special Agent Tony Deacon," he started, "I need to speak with your boss."
The agent paused for a moment and then eventually took a few steps away to speak into a mic and requested to speak with someone to relay the information. A few moments later he returned.
"He's waiting for you in room 312, Special Agent Deacon," The agent replied.
"Thank you," Tony replied as he and Bruce walked back to the hallway.
They were currently on the second floor and rather than wait for the elevator, they quickly took the stairs up to the next floor. Once up there they took a moment to find the room they were looking for. Turns out the secret service took a large triage room and converted it into a temporary headquarters of operation. Once they walked inside the man standing at the back of the room behind a small table waved them to come closer.
"We've been expecting you Special Agent Deacon," The man said as he offered Tony his hand to shake, "I'm Russell Brown, the agent in charge of this location and its security while we're under the current alert."
"A pleasure to meet you." Tony said, shaking the man's hand. "I just wish our meeting was under more pleasant circumstances."
"As do I," Brown agreed.
"What the hell happened down here?" Bruce asked right off the bat.
"It was a simple fundraiser," Brown said as he sat back down and motioned the men to do the same. "The Senator was down here in what is bound to be a battle-ground state to raise some funds for a very competitive Presidential campaign. This dinner was charging seven hundred dollars a plate to attend."
"Wow," Tony said, "That's a pretty pricey dinner."
"Well, it turns out our candidate is on a strict diet," Brown continued, "That means he didn't eat from the same menu as the rest of the guests. That made his food easier to identify; hence the reason why we suspect he was specific target."
Brown tossed over some file folders.
"Here are some possible suspects we're considering," Brown informed them, "They're all pretty circumstantial, I get that. Yet at this point we're following every possible lead. I'll tell you this much, boys, things are going to get a lot uglier before it gets better around here."
"How's he doing?" Bruce asked, showing genuine concern for the Senator.
"Not good," Brown responded, "The Senator slipped into a coma a few hours ago and hasn't responded to anything the doctors have given him. They can't even identify what's killing him so the odds of them being able to stop this..."
Brown broke off for a moment and took a second to get his composure back.
"This is not productive," Brown added, "I assume you want access to hospital staff to ask questions and what not?"
"Yes, where can we find them?" Tony asked as he stood to leave.
"You're not going anywhere." Brown snapped back, as he motioned the two men to sit back down. "The whole reason this room was set up to begin with was so that people were not roaming the halls and interfering with staff and my men who are just trying to do their jobs. If you want to interview anyone, ask me and I'll have them brought here to you for questioning. Understood?"
Tony sat back down. "Makes sense, I guess. In that case we'll give you a list of the people we want to talk to then hang back and wait."
"Thank you," Brown said, sighing. "I do appreciate you guys working with us on this. We're doing this to not only keep things moving along, but to keep chatter in the hallways to a minimum. Last thing we need is anyone not authorized to know leaking something to the media."
"Understood, Sir." Tony replied, "We will keep this on the down low too."
"Thank you," Brown said, "Get that list to me as soon as you can. Shift changes over in a few hours."
"No prob, I'll have it done in a jiffy." Tony said as he whipped out his notepad and started to think of people he wanted to speak with. The actual people he wanted to speak with were members of the Senator's staff, his security detail, some of the wait staff, and even some of the venue's kitchen staff. Anyone who had access to the Senator's food, and then narrow down who could have tried to poison him.
"Are you comfy not having access to the hospital?" Bruce asked, trying to look as comfy and casual as possible.
"It's not abnormal considering the circumstances," Tony replied, "But if they get really stiff assed about this, I might have to start taking some really long potty breaks if you know what I mean."
"I get it," Bruce said, "And I'll stay here to back you up if I have to."
"Good man," Tony said as he finished a short list and slapped it on the table for Brown to take when he got back.
"So, now what?" Bruce asked.
"For now, we wait," Tony answered, "Let's relax and take a breather while the service rounds up some of the people from my list. Those people will provide us with enough intel to keep our masters satisfied for the time being. Let's just work on this the best we can given the circumstances, and we'll get back on the manhunt in no time."
"That's it?" Bruce asked, looking rather impatient.
"Well, if you're that eager to work," Tony replied, "Feel free to look for the hospital cafeteria and fetch me a cup of coffee. Two sugars, two milk and try to find something sweet and pastry like to go with it if you can Something with sprinkles if at all possible."
"Alright," Kern said, laughing as he got up, "I'll look into it."