by Dan Knight
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In the break room, the minutes passed in tense silence. The tired sleuths munched on their meals, and listened for activity.
“Whoop!” Someone broke the quiet. Shouts joined the first voice, and soon a chorus of yells echoed down the hall.
Dropping his sandwich, Jack scooted the chair out from under him and sprang to his feet. He ran to the break room door with Shotgun on his heels, and the Inspector brought up the rear.
Hearing more cries, Jack ran down the hall toward the commotion. His long legs out paced the dwarf and the human detective.
He reached the trauma room, and Hatchet stopped him. Jack leaned over the stern mole woman and peeked into the bay, “What’s happened?” Seeing Doctors Forest and Norman, and Wiggles, he called out again. “What’s happened?”
“We have normal brain function on the scans,” said Forest. “She’s alive again. Wiggles, how long should we wait?”
“Best to let her sleep a few winks before you try rousing her. That’s what they say for suspects. Then you can question them until they get tired again. Usually all you get is a few minutes before they have to rest.”
“We’ll let her sleep, and then see if we can wake her. Everyone stay on your toes. I want her monitored until we wake her.” Forest identified who needed to stay and sent the others back to their regular duties.
Norman sent Hatchet to inform the Principal’s husband, and then collapsed in a chair. She propped her head on her fists and closed her eyes. “Gentlemen, please wait outside. We’ll call you when she wakes up.”
Jack and the detectives pressed Wiggles for details.
“Chapel took the bolt and she went limp,” said Wiggles. “She closed her eyes and looked like she’d fallen asleep. Her vital signs hardly blinked. None of the alarms on those monitors went off. Then their brain scanner picked up a few bleeps. I’m not sure what it means, but they were happy, so I’m happy. If you’ll excuse me, I’m starving.” The portly moleman returned to his lunch.
An orderly burst into the breakroom. “Constable Wiggles! Doctor Norman wants you. Principal Chapel is awake.”
“Yes son!” said Wiggles. “I’m on my way.” He dropped his sandwich. “Gentlemen, you’re welcome to come too.” With that, he waddled after the orderly as quickly as his bulk allowed.
