Ending of Previous Post:

"I wasn't stalking you or even really following you. I was curious about where you were going and why."

"What? That's a bunch of bull."

His eyebrows crunched together. "Not really. I was getting inside the taxi when you came out. I thought maybe you had a lead on my sister's murderer and thought I could help. So I wasn't following you, per se." He held up his phone. "I found my friend's number."

After he spoke with his buddy, he said, "He'll meet us here in about fifteen minutes."

"I didn't know lab techs made house, no hotel calls."

"I told you he owes me a favor. To be honest you're in no condition to move. You can barely sit up."

"How do I know he's not part of this conspiracy to drug me, hold me captive, and do who knows what with me? You could've got the drugs from him." McKenzie attempted to stand, staggered a few steps, and started to fall.

Logan caught her. "Because, if I didn't care, I'd let you hit the floor." He led her back to bed.


TODAY'S POST:

ST. LOUIS CHAPTER 2 PART 1

Almost twenty-five minutes later, a knock sounded on the hotel room door. Logan answered, "Hello." He shook hands with his old Army buddy. "Sorry, we have to get together like this. I hope your wife didn't mind you making a house call." He motioned toward McKenzie. "I'd like you to meet my PI friend, Mac Morgan. She got herself into some trouble tonight."

"Simon Knight." He offered his hand and then his eyes met Logan's. "I see you're still rescuing ladies in distress. Where'd you find this one?"

"An Irish Pub. All reports are that she was only drinking lemon water. When I walked in, two men were attempting to help themselves."

"Figures." Simon opened a black bag and removed some instruments. "I'm going to give you a quick check-up to make sure you don't need to make a trip to the ER. Can you describe your symptoms?"

"Confused and groggy."

"Her speech has been slurred, and she was unconscious when I got there," interrupted Logan. He glanced at his watch. "She was out for about two hours that I know about."

Simon nodded. "Continue, Mac, do you mind if I call you Mac?"

She shook her head and focused on the garbage can. "Vomiting. I have no memory of what happened."

"Okay. First, I want a urine sample. Can you make it to the bathroom?" Simon handed her a specimen jar.

Nodding, she said, "I think so."

Logan moved beside her. "I'm here if you need me." He offered his arm. "She hasn't been successful at standing." She stumbled, so he put his arm around her waist and helped her into the bathroom. "Let me know when you're finished."

Before long the men heard the door handle jiggle. Logan asked, "You need help?"

"I can get it."

The door opened, and McKenzie attempted a step but grabbed the door jamb to keep from falling. "When's the room gonna stop swirling?" She glanced at Simon.

"Depends what they gave you." He waited until Logan helped her back to bed and held up a stethoscope. "I want to listen to your heart, your pulse, and take your blood pressure."

After that was complete, Simon grabbed an elastic band and syringe. "I'll need some blood." His eyes met Logan's. "Did you notice her drink? Did it have any color or smell to it?"

"No color, and to be honest I didn't think to sniff it. Why?"

"My gut tells me it was GHB. It's colorless and odorless. We'll know more when I get the results back."

"How long will I feel like crap?" asked McKenzie.

"If it's GHB, it normally leaves the body in about twelve hours. But..." Simon released a deep breath. "It's often manufactured in home labs so we don't always know what's in it."

"Great." McKenzie closed her eyes.

Simon packed his bag. "I'm done. She's going to feel like shit for a few more hours, but she should be all right. I'll have the test results back in a couple days. I'll try by end of business tomorrow, but can't promise."

He glanced at McKenzie. "As long as she doesn't show any other signs, she should be fine. If anything at all shows up, don't hesitate to take her to the ER." He placed his hand on the door knob, and then turned around. "I doubt I need to tell you, but I wouldn't leave her alone until you're sure the drug's out of her system. Oh yeah, even though she's been communicating with us, she may struggle remembering it right away. She may never remember the pub."

"I won't leave her." Logan patted his buddy's back. "Thanks for helping."

"Anytime. You two need to come to dinner. I'll get with my wife and give you a date when I call with the results."

"She's only an acquaintance." Logan shook his head.

Simon grinned. "My gut says different. Us Special Forces types always listen to our gut, right?"

McKenzie managed to open an eye. "Did he say I'm stuck with you in this room for hours?"

Glancing at his watch, Logan replied, "I don't know when you ingested the drugs. To be safe I'd say you're stuck with me for another eight hours."

She attempted to sit. "I could really use a drink," she slid down, "of water."

Logan unwrapped a hotel glass and filled it with water. "I'll get you one." She held out her hand, and he grinned. "There's no way, I'm giving you this without help. You'll spill it. Then I'd have to give up the dry bed. I doubt you want us sharing a bed." He used his free arm to raise her so she could drink. "Go slowly until we know if you're going to keep it down."

After she took a few sips, she closed her eyes. "Thank you. You're a little bit nice."

"Yeah, right." Logan chuckled as he grabbed the remote control. "I hope there's a game on. I'm sure the Cards are blocked. Wait, they're playing in Atlanta." He turned his head to check on McKenzie. Good, she's asleep. I wonder what mess she's gotten into. Since Dad hired her yesterday, I doubt it has anything to do with Whitney. What else is she working on? I'll never find out tonight. She probably wouldn't tell me anyway.

A few hours later, Logan heard a commotion in the hotel hallway. He glanced out the peephole. It's only people checking-in. I guess I'm a little jumpy. He returned to his chair. Nobody would expect her to be here anyway. "Good, Yadi's up." He watched the first pitch. "Come on, we need a hit." Again, he glanced at the door. We could've been followed. I got careless. I never checked to see what those two jerks did. Tomorrow I'll visit the bartender and see what he knows about them.






Characters:

McKenzie 'Mac' Morgan a 27 year old private investigator
Major Logan Nelson 34 years old and an active duty soldier Arlo McKenzie's black and tan dachshund
Megan Nelson Logan's younger sister - murdered
The Lou is an area name for St. Louis
Simon Knight Logan's former Army buddy and a Lab technician.
Fan name for the St. Louis Cardinals - a major league baseball team.
Yadi's Fan name for Yadier Molina - Cardindal's all-star catcher.