Release

Alex stiffened as Bobby stumbled sideways, catching himself on the table, and collapsed into the chair. He bent nearly double, his head bowed so far under she could only see the back of it. The silence in the room was palpable as every ear strained to catch a sound no one wanted to hear. Alex jumped as a sharp hiss crackled through the old speaker. Bobby drew another pained breath through his teeth and Alex headed for the door. She didn’t know what she could do, but she wasn’t about to stand there and watch him suffer. Sledge grabbed her before she made it halfway across the room. Munch even moved to block the door.

“Sorry, Eames, but we can’t let you,” Sledge said. “You know what will happen if you go into that room.” Alex jerked her arm out of his hands.

“I’m not going in there,” she snapped, “but I’m also not going to stand here and watch him die.” She pushed past Munch and stalked up the hall. Olivia quickly caught up with her.

“What have you got in mind?” she asked. Alex glanced back. Everyone but Stabler and Huang were following them.

“Research,” Alex said around the lump forming in her throat. She’d never had so many people backing her before. Usually, Bobby was enough. Only he wasn’t there. She shook her head before she let the sentiment go any further. Now was not the time. “We need to know all there is to know about this curse, about witchcraft, about the witch who could have done this. I want details, I want suspects, and I want the counter-curse.” And I want my partner back! she added silently. She turned to Olivia. “Where’s Bobby’s cell phone? I need to be able to talk to him.”