Operation Magnet

by ImaginationOnFire

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(I could have called this "Special Master Part Three" but didn't want to get into trouble with TNT. This short story stays true to the current Major Crimes story line and begins just after the season 3 finale, Episode 19, "Special Master Part Two.")

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Chapter One

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DAY ONE:

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"A manhunt is underway for convicted serial killer Phillip Stroh," reported David Muir, the anchor of ABC World News. Pictures of Phillip Stroh flashed across the screen. "Last seen in the area of the LA County Criminal Justice Building in Los Angeles, California, Stroh is implicated in a dozen rapes, murders, and attempted murders. He escaped the custody of law enforcement this morning after police alleged he murdered Judge Stephen Schaeffer with whom he was having a private meeting. Phillip Stroh is presumed armed and is extremely dangerous, and the FBI is offering up to $500,000 for information that will lead to his capture. While he has ties to the Los Angeles area, he is believed to have the means to leave the area. Anyone with information about Phillip Stroh is urged to call local law enforcement or the FBI."

Sharon and Rusty sat at home watching the news. Neither had slept much in the past three days, and they were sent home to get a good night's sleep. Uniformed LAPD officers rotated watch outside the front door.

"Stroh is going to be desperate," Sharon told Rusty. "With a half-million dollar bounty on his head, there is no one he will be able to trust. That's a good thing, because his friends in the criminal world will sooner turn him in than help him.

"I know you want to go back to school tomorrow," she said, "but can I at least talk you into a security detail? Please, Rusty."

"Sharon, I told you, I just want to get on with my life. I don't want him free and me scared to take my next step. Why would he mess with me, anyway? Am I not his most likely target right now? Won't he figure that I have police around?"

Sharon thought a moment. "Those are all good points, Rusty," she replied. "But for my sake, how about a compromise? How about a security detail you control instead of one that controls you?"

"You mean, we go to class and the library together? Stuff like that?"

"Yes," said Sharon, "he goes where you want to go. Within reason, of course. I'm thinking of asking your SWAT escort, Chad Stuart. He can pass as another college student and be your full-time 'friend.'"

Rusty considered the proposition. "All the freedom I want—"

"—and all the security I want," Sharon finished.

Rusty thought about it. Chad was nice. And really good-looking, too. "Okay, Sharon," he said. "My first class starts at nine."

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The clock radio said ten-thirty, and Sharon lay awake in bed. She knew she should have been asleep, but she continued to review recent events in her head. Julio, she thought, must be addressed. Maybe FID will be lenient, since he started his anger management classes only last week. Provenza has been more than caring with Rusty; she'll have to treat him to a Dodgers game in the spring.

Andy is wriggling his way into my heart. Is it time for us to "officially" date? She remembered a game she played with the boys' names when she was in high school: "Mrs. Andrew Flynn" or "Sharon Flynn" or "Hi, I'm Andy's wife, Sharon." None of those was too scary. God, she thought, pulling a pillow over her head, I'm a school girl all over again. Please don't let me be goofy about him. I'm pushing 60, for Christ's sake.

As she finally drifted off, Sharon replayed mental images of a dead Judge Schaeffer lying on the floor in his office. Stroh had better hope someone else gets to him before I do, she thought sleepily. The only penalty for shooting Stroh on the spot will be a pile of paperwork, and I am very good at paperwork.

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