Page 12 of Charmed Forces

“Got the medical kit,” said Solomon, crouching next to me. “Let’s find out where he’s wounded and get him patched up before we go to the ER.”

“Not, not...” Daniel stuttered before looking around and frowning. If I didn’t know my brother better, I would guess he was horribly inebriated. His eyes struggled to focus, his words were slurred and his steps were uncertain. Now he sat propped against the wall, his legs as limp as a rag doll. Every so often, his head listed to one side. He appeared to be struggling to stay awake but I couldn’t be sure if that was the result of an injury or intoxication. I sniffed the air close to his face but I couldn’t smell any alcohol.

Worse than that was the sight of blood spatters speckling his clothes and hands.

I checked his hands first for any cuts but his skin seemed intact, as well as his wrists when I pushed back his sleeves. His head didn’t show any signs of injury either. “Let’s get you out of that jacket,” I said, lifting his arm.

“Okay,” he said and blinked. “Lexi?”

“It’s me,” I said as I pulled his arm free. Solomon helped me lean him forwards and I peeled off his jacket, carefully tugging the sleeve down his other arm. His pale blue shirt was marred with blood droplets but not nearly enough to suggest he was bleeding significantly. The first couple of shirt buttons were undone, and a weapon holster was still strapped around his shoulders. I leaned in, trying to undo the remaining buttons when Daniel grabbed my hand.

“Lexi,” he said again.

“Still me. I’m trying to find out where you’re wounded,” I told him. “I need to take off your shirt.”

“Not. Me,” he stammered before shutting his eyes and leaning against the wall. While he was immobile, I quickly undid the rest of his buttons, trying not to feel totally weird about undoing my brother’s clothing, and I peeled his shirt back. Daniel’s chest was smooth, toned and completely unmarred.

“I don’t think this is his blood,” I said, frowning hard as I rocked back on my heels. There was a dark patch on the knee of his jeans but no fresh marks were appearing.

“Daniel?” said Solomon.

“Huh?”

“Daniel,” he repeated, louder this time while clapping his hands next to Daniel’s head.

Daniel’s eyes shot open. “Can’t. Can’t.” His words drifted into an indecipherable mumble.

“What? Say it again, Dan,” I said.

“Can’t help them,” he said, heaving with the effort of talking.

“Who? Who needs help?” I asked. I turned to Solomon, looking confused. “What’s wrong with him? He’s not injured and I don’t think he’s drunk.”

“I think he could be drugged,” said Solomon. “It’s wearing off, obviously, otherwise he couldn’t have gotten here. Did you see a vehicle?”

“No, just Daniel at the door. He wasn’t holding any keys.”

“I’ll check the street,” said Solomon, already rising. He jogged to the nearest window overlooking the street and I watched as he peered outside into the twilight.

“Anything?”

“Nothing. No cars abandoned on the street. I can’t imagine he could execute a perfect parallel parking job in this condition so I think we should assume he must’ve walked here.”

“Mom said he was working on a case,” I remembered. I checked Daniel’s belt with a growing sense of concern. “He’s wearing his shoulder holster but his gun is gone and I can’t find his badge. Shit, Solomon, what the hell happened to him?”

“I’m going to get him some water and make a phone call. Stay with him.”

“Great idea,” I snipped. “I was going to take a bath.” I stopped, overcome by a wave of guilt. “Sorry,” I said. “I know you don’t know any more than I do.”

Solomon kissed the top of my head as he rose. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s just get to the bottom of this.” He moved into the kitchen, leaving Daniel and me alone in the entry.

“Lexi?”

“Yes, Daniel?”

Daniel’s eyes shot open and he focused intently on me. “I found you.” He sighed, his eyes shutting again.

“Sure did. Where’d you come from?”

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