Chapter 61

**James POV**

James's heart picked pace as he bellowed,

"What do you mean you couldn't find?"

He put down the glass he was holding on the table and stood up.

"The last location we traced is near some restaurant sir. After that, we lost the connection. Tank is missing Mr. McKenzie", David gave the intel.

"Have you contacted the police?" James said as he donned his coat and exited the room hastily.

"Umm...We are waiting for your instructions sir", David reddened as he said that, sounding childish to his own ears. But then he was never the chief security head, a position that expects quick decision-making. He was always used to following orders, not giving them.

"That's a common-sense thing, David. You shouldn't have to wait for the instructions from me", James chastised him as he exited the hotel and opened the car door while David trailed behind him.

Once inside the car, James barked to David, "drive me to the last location"

James then called the local police and informed the dispatcher about the situation.

However, the dispatcher said in her monotone voice, "Sir, unless it's been 24 hours, we couldn't take the complaint", boredom can be clearly heard from her tone. Of course, when you see a missing or two cases daily, you got used to it.

"You will take the fucking complaint this very moment", James, however, is not in the mood to placate her sensibilities.

"Sir-", the dispatcher offended, thought to give him a piece of her mind. But before she can say anything, James continued,

"This is James McKenzie. Connect me to the commissioner right now", James gritted out.

"Yes...yes, Mr. McKenzie. Hold on a second", recognizing the powerful name and the person she is conversing with, the dispatcher changed her tone and started to do James's bid.

The commissioner once connected responded, "Mr. McKenzie, how may I help you?"

"A person close to me is missing the commissioner. I need your best team in this case. I'm sharing his last location. Contact me immediately once you know anything. And commissioner, I need results. I will be waiting for your call"

"Of course, Mr. McKenzie. I will dispatch my team right away"

James cut the call and looked outside the window. He regretted sending Tank. He shouldn't have let him out of his side.

Whoever is behind this, will rue the day they were born. And if it is his wife, then no place on earth is dark enough for her to hide. He will hunt her down and slowly, very slowly, exact his revenge.
David slowed down when he neared the location.

"This is the place we lost his signal sir", David pointed to the barren road that is lit with the street lights.
James opened the door and checked the surroundings. Nary a soul. What could have happened? The same tension he experienced during Agatha's plight circled him.

James feared for his bodyguard. He may be a mere bodyguard in position, but in a way, he became his family. That old brother who looked after him.

Tank has gotten many opportunities from other people while he lived with him. He could have happily married and settled if he thought about his future. But no, he thought about him.

He put his life on the back burner for him. And now, he may not get to live that life because of him. A person missing means many things. He could be kidnaped...or hurt...or... James couldn't finish that thought.

For a person who was trained and worked as an agent, Tank wouldn't have been caught off guard.
Whatever happened to him, it must be something serious to hold him back. Otherwise, he would have tried to reach him by now. He had that training.

What could have stopped him? Guilt clenched in his gut at the hopelessness of the situation.
Never the one to put much thought into the belief, James however prayed vehemently, "please god. Let him be alive".

The shrill noise of his phone disturbed his uneasy thoughts. It's the commissioner.

"Yes?" James asked unsure if he wanted to hear the answer.

The unease grew inside him. His palms started to sweat as his mind conjured different horrifying scenarios.

"I'm sorry to say Mr. McKenzie but the person you are looking for has met with an accident", the commissioner said solemnly.

Accident! James staggered hearing this. Tank!

"How...how is he?" James asked his mouth dry.

"Uh...you better...you better visit the hospital Mr. McKenzie", the commissioner replied instead. Though he has given such reports to the loved ones many times, the commissioner felt better not to tell him directly. Rich people can take wrath on the messenger when they hear disastrous news. And the commissioner likes his life enough to not go near the fire.

"Don't hide it, commissioner. How serious is it? Is he-" James came to a halt unable to finish the sentence
"Yes, Mr. McKenzie. He is alive", the commissioner clarified content to give at least some good news. Though he wondered if what that person is going through is called 'alive'. Better to leave this explanation in the hands of the doctor.

"I will call you back later, commissioner. Expect my call", James informed the commissioner as he cut the call.

David, who has heard one side conversation asked James in concern, "Is he going to make it Mr. McKenzie?"

"I don't know, David. I wished I knew. Let's go to the hospital", James instructed the way to the hospital as he sat tense thinking about Tank's condition and how serious it must be for the commissioner to not explain everything.

He shouldn't have sent him alone. He should have thought this through. Though no one can predict the accidents, James felt that it was his fault Tank was on that lane.

If not for him, Tank would have been with him. James felt aimless without Tank. Tank was always the one who would have predicted the situation before it took place and prepared him according to it.

Once at the hospital, James was guided to the ICU room where Tank is placed. A doctor haphazardly met him from the other side of the hallway, as James stood outside of the room looking at the battered body of his friend.

"What is his condition Doctor?", James asked the doctor without taking away his eyes from Tank.

"Mr. McKenzie let's talk in my office", the doctor said, scanning the gawkers in the hallway.

"Very well", James gave one last look towards Tank and went with the doctor as he guided towards his office.

"How serious is it, doctor? Will he survive?", James asked directly looking into the eyes of the doctor who started to squirm at his gaze.

"We can't say for sure now Mr. McKenzie", the doctor replied evasively.

"What do you mean can't be sure! Bring the best doctors in the state, I won't care. I want him to get out of this nary a scratch Doctor", James bellowed at the doctor, his voice carrying over the hallway as people looked suspiciously towards the closed door.

"It's not that easy Mr. McKenzie. It's not about the doctor or the care. Your friend has slipped into a coma due to the accident Mr. McKenzie", the doctor said solemnly.

"Coma!" James lurched and hit the chair as he sat unceremoniously.

"I'm sorry Mr. McKenzie. But Mr. Tank Simon was brought to the hospital in a very delicate condition. If he had been late for another hour or so then I'm afraid we couldn't have saved him. However, it's not over yet. His condition is very critical Mr. McKenzie", the doctor clued in the delicacy of the matters.

"How critical?" James whispered as he sat stunned.

"He has suffered from traumatic brain injury. We call it Diffuse Axonal Injury, in short DAI. DAI is the result of traumatic shearing forces that occur when the head is rapidly accelerated or decelerated. It generally happens in car accidents, Mr. McKenzie. Though his body was saved by the airbag, his head has taken the force. Bruising in the back is also there", the doctor showed the MRI reports that were taken when the patient was brought in.

"What can be done doctor?", James asked, feeling small before fate.

"I'm afraid there is nothing we can do, Mr. McKenzie. Generally, in such cases, it depends on the grade level injuries. The lesser the level the faster he will get consciousness. Unfortunately, your friend has grade 2 level injuries Mr. McKenzie", the doctor explained the severity.

"How long Doctor?"

"We can't be sure Mr. McKenzie. It depends on the person, their health, and age. But the studies suggest that the person may recover consciousness in a month. However, I have to point out that it's a case study. And your friend is 36-year-old. Though he is fit for his age, we cannot oversee that fact", the doctor shook his head as he ticked away the reasons that may cause complications.

"What can be done, doctor? I want results, not suggestions", James slammed his hand on the desk, frustration and grief warring within him.

"We can try some therapy. Intensive rehabilitation is needed once he gains consciousness. He needs to have vigorous training again in speech and physical", the doctor tried to explain the treatment for such cases.

"What are the chances of a full recovery doctor?" James asked to learn about the duration of his friend's suffering.

"Mr. McKenzie, you have to understand that your friend has gone through a severe head injury. Expecting a full recovery is hopeless. But not impossible. With sufficient care and if your friend chains consciousness in the expected time, I believe he can be on his feet in 4 months", the doctor informed hesitantly, unsure how the person in front of him will react.