Page 7 of Fated Surrender

Connor nodded. “I stayed up late watching monster movies on Syfy this weekend. Threw my entire sleep schedule off,” he said, grabbing his coat.

“Right. I’d believe that, except I know that you don’t have cable since I tried to watch football at your house last weekend. So, try again,” Emmett said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Really. I’m cool. Just need to get some more sleep, that’s all,” Connor said quietly.

“Then carry your ass home and get some sleep,” Emmett said, pushing him toward the door.

“Roger that. Bye, everyone.” Connor waved and headed to his truck.

The drive home was quick. He showered to get the grease from breakfast off and then settled on the couch to watch some television. He made it all the way past Jeopardy before he found himself sitting at his computer. Sighing, he logged in and checked his email.

“Motherfucking, son of a bitch!” he yelled out loud and clicked on the email with the subject line.

He got two more.

Pulling up the email with the attachments, he got comfortable and began reviewing the information sent to him.

When he looked up from his research, he saw that the sun had come up and he had yet to get any sleep. He replied to the email with his notes and advised them to contact him again if there were any new developments. Sighing, he picked up his phone and called his ma.

“Ma, I’m sorry but I won’t be in today. I’m just now heading to bed,” he confessed.

“Do I need to come up there? Are you okay?” she asked worriedly.

“I’m fine, Ma. Just got caught up in some work. I’m going to bed now. I’ll be in tomorrow for sure.”

“We’re going to have a long talk when you come in, Connor,” she warned.

“Yes ma’am. Love you, Ma,” he replied.

“I love you, too, baby boy. Now eat something and go to bed.”

“I will. Bye, Ma.” Connor ended the call and stared at his phone. He had lied. He knew that he wouldn’t be getting any sleep anytime soon with the images from that email in his head. He didn’t feel like eating either. Feeling completely out of sorts, he decided to go for a jog.

He was jogging up the driveway when he saw a car parked out front. Shaking his head, he slowed down and walked through the front door. As the door closed behind him, he was greeted by a familiar voice.

“So, your mother tells me that you aren’t sleeping. Get in here so I can check your vitals,” Doc Claybourne ordered from the den.

“My mother doesn’t really respect her children’s privacy,” Connor said, heading up the stairs to his bedroom.

“This will be easier if you cooperate,” Doc called out.

“Just washing up, Doc. I just finished a ten mile jog, I’m funky,” Connor yelled back.

“By all means,” Doc shouted back.

Grinning, Connor washed up and pulled on his comfortable sweats.

“Okay, Doc, poke and prod to your heart’s content,” he said, collapsing into his recliner.

“Get on the scale.” Doc pointed to the floor.

Connor pulled himself out of his chair and stepped on the scale. He was surprised at the number.

“Connor, did you know you’ve lost nearly fifteen pounds since your last checkup three months ago?” Doc asked.

He shook his head. “I didn’t realize I had lost so much weight,” he admitted.

“You’re working another case aren’t you?” Doc asked.

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