Hello there! Hope you enjoyed that short story that is going to have only two chapters... I wasn't planning to split it but I needed the suspense regarding the beginning ;).
It's set somewhere around season 2, probably would have been close to the season finale. Enjoy it!
- Hold on Jo! You need to hold it. You can't die now. Think about your future. I can't let you close your eyes, please you need to fight! Henry needs you, Jo. Think about him, fight for him, please!
Her eyes closed… She couldn't do it anymore. She was too weak.
A few hours earlier
Hanson and Jo were sitting in an interview's room. Both of them kind of look frustrated and Henry, watching the whole behind the glass, could feel their pain.
They've been listening to the main witness in their current case, ranting for hours and they weren't sure what useful information she has been giving to them ever since she was sitting in that room.
Hanson was close to choking her with her bare hands. Jo was more patient but not that much. Before her colleague tried to shoot her, she asked
- So, let me get this straight, our prime suspect is your neighbor. You saw him doing a couple of dirty laundry over the years and the night before the murder you heard a loud argument between him and a masculine's voice who was probably our victim. In the morning, you went to take your trash out in the basement and there was a small refrigerator which wasn't there the day before and when you opened it, the body was on it and frozen… And you're the one who called the cops?
She nodded. She was shaking and couldn't stop drinking water. But neither Hanson, Henry, and Jo ever saw somebody being that nervous while making a deposition.
Hanson sighed
- Miss Johnson, if you're the one who called us and you saw all of this, why didn't you show up a few days earlier when we actually retrieved the body?
She started squirming in her chair. Jo was wondering if she was on something. But they needed to take her word for granted. She was basically the only witness of that mysterious case and so far what she said, was matching what they found at the crime scene and what Henry has deduced.
- I don't know detective, I was scared as hell. The guy lives next to my door. Who knows what he could have done to me if he figured out I was the one who made the call?
Jo had to agree. She had a point.
- Fine! We'll check all of that. If something else comes up, please give us a call or even if you're feeling threatened, we'll be right there to protect you.
Miss Johnson gave her, her brightest smile and shook her hand
- Thank you so much, detective Martinez. I'll do that!
Hanson and Jo left the room right after the witness. Henry joined them and they all sighed.
- Damn it I swear, it's the last I'm staying that long for an interview. Even my kids don't rant like that. I was about to make her silent.
Jo chuckled
- Why do you think I reacted before you did?
She looked at Henry who was awfully quiet, which was the opposite of his usual self.
- What is it, Henry? You're not saying anything. What do you think about her?
Henry pursed his lips in a fine line
- I don't know. I don't seem to have a proper opinion on her. She told us what I already suggested but she was acting strange.
Jo rolled her eyes
- Of course, she was nervous and honestly can't blame her. She had a point when she said that guy could have put his hands on her if she spoke out on the day we found the body.
- That is right!
Still, something was off with Henry. Jo knew him by heart and could read him like he was an open book.
She was about to add something when Reece stepped up between all of them
- Did you learn anything interesting? You've been sitting in that room in forever!
Hanson slammed his forehead and just shook his hands, walking away to get himself a coffee, leaving the explanation to Jo.
- She gave us anything Henry suggested and now we need a plan to get the suspect.
Reece stared at Henry
- And what do you think?
Henry shook his head and politely smiled
- Jo is right! She was nervous but her information was accurate to mine. And we do need a plan because everything could fall on Miss Johnson if we are mistaken somewhere.
Reece nodded
- You do what you have to do but be careful. Remember that guy we're trying to catch is probably an ex-criminal from the Russian Mafia, so beware when you go there.
- We will Lieu, don't worry, we'll have all the needed back-up – Jo reassured, but wasn't very sure herself
Reece walked away from them and the couple stared at each other
- I can't believe I reached that point in my career when we're running behind someone who could have been working with the Russian Mafia… Who knows what he is capable of.
Henry replied
- We know he loves to freeze his victims at least.
- Not without shooting them first! I really don't have a good feeling about that case but we'll have to solve it. The faster, the best!
Henry got lost in his thoughts. He had practiced autopsies on people who have been working from the New York mafia, a few years ago. And from what he saw, they were killing their victims in a terrible way. Once you were with them, you were better not to try and run because they would always find you in one way or another.
- we should have dinner – Jo blurted out
Henry blinked
- excuse me?
She shrugged
- I can't think of anything with an empty stomach. Maybe after a good dinner, I'll be able to think about a plan. And your brain with mine makes one and a powerful one since you're smarter than I am.
Henry gave her a sarcastic look
- You are smart, Jo! I told you, if you wanted to, you could have been a good M.E
- Yeah, thanks but no thanks! So, dinner?
He stared at her. They were starting to court or seemed like it… He wasn't really sure about it. All he knew is that were dancing around each other for a year and he was losing it. He invited her a couple of times to the shop for a dinner with Abe in order to try and tell her the big secret but there was always something to get in the way. He wasn't sure how much unlucky two people could be just to have a talk.
But they never really dated… Even though some people were truly believing it… Because they were having lunches and dinners a lot, together, but as friends… or so that's what they kept telling themselves. Nobody believed them!
Henry heard his stomach growled
- Well… It appears, my stomach agrees with you.
Truth to be told, none of them really had lunch.
- Tell me about it, with how long I spent in that room. So, where should we go?
Henry was about to give her the choice but he also knew her food tastes and they weren't the best.
Jo could read his thoughts
- I know you don't like any greasy food but you have no idea how much I'm dying for a good burger. Let's go to Shake Shack, the one on Columbus Avenue. You'll find something for you!
There's nothing he could have said or done because Jo held on to his arm and walked with him toward the elevator and they crossed path with Lucas when exiting the building. He seemed in a rush.
- Lucas!
He froze when he heard his boss calling for him. He slowly turned around
- What I have done?
Jo and Henry walked toward him like judging parents. He was so uncomfortable when they were doing this.
- I hope you did nothing – Henry scolded – but you seem in a hurry.
The young assistant scratched the back of his head
- well yes! I'm going to the gym and tonight I have a party downtown, in a nightclub so I'm already kind of late and I just want to pretend to work out before partying.
Jo and Henry glared at him like he was completely nuts. He awkwardly smiled, cleared his throat and asked
- How's the case? I learned from detective Hanson that things aren't going that well but apparently, we have a lead now?
Jo nodded
- Yes, we do but we also need a plan to catch our killer so Henry and I are about to dinner, maybe can help our brain to think about something.
Lucas couldn't hide his smirk. Henry just ignored him.
- Oh well, have fun you two and don't stay up all night working on that plan.
- Says the man who's about to party all night long – Jo added, not impressed at all.
Lucas started to slowly walk backward
- Ah well, you know while I'm still young, better enjoy it, not like you two
- Say it again to my face – Jo yelled while Lucas turned around and ran like Henry never saw him do before. Henry held her before she started shooting on that poor Lucas
- He was just messing around with you. You know he can be an imbecile sometimes.
Jo rolled her eyes
- All those nerves. I need a double burger!
Henry couldn't argue this time but he was already regretting Abe's cooking.
###
After their dinner where Henry surprisingly found something to his taste, even though they only had burgers and hot dog but he had to agree with Jo, it seemed legit, it was fresh and it was probably the best and only fast food he would be doing in his very long life, they decided to take a walk in Central Park.
Henry has then decided to walk with Jo till Washington Heights. It was a long walking hour but the weather was nice and they needed this.
- Are you sure you're okay with walking with me to my home? I mean I didn't mind giving you a lift to the shop you know.
Henry shook his head
- Jo, trust me, it doesn't bother me at all. I'll take a cab home. It's alright. You're already doing a lot of lifts for me. And this will give me another perspective of your neighborhood.
She blushed and looked at his big hand resting next to hers. She bit on her upper lips. Somehow, interlacing her fingers with his, felt like a good idea in her mind. She really wanted to grip his hand. She knew it was warm and hers was so small next to his. They were walking close to each other, more than close but it was their daily ritual. Truth to be told, their fingers were brushing.
None of them even talked about the case, they got lost in a personal conversation that had nothing to do with their jobs.
It's only when they finally reached Jo's stairs and standing on them, that Henry realized they planned absolutely nothing to catch their killer.
- Jo, you and I have been so caught in our talk that we totally forgot to talk about the case.
Jo looked at him and burst into laughing
- Oops! Well, I guess it happens.
She was standing one step higher than him and once again their bodies were near colliding.
Henry looked at her door and seemed to think about something
- I think I may have an idea
- About what?
- The case! If Miss Johnson's neighbor is our killer, perhaps we can convince her to pretend to seek help for something in her apartment or whatsoever. Our team would be hiding in her apartment and get him from the moment he would be stepping in.
Jo's mind was a mess considering the nice evening she just spent with Henry. She tried to get a hold of herself and agreed
- Yes! It could work! It's worth a try but we need to be careful. Reece warned us about him. And plus, we can't be entirely sure if we'll be getting the right suspect.
Henry agreed. They all knew it. But at that point of the case, they didn't have much, if nothing at all. They needed to try if this was their only hope.
- We'll talk about it with Reece and Hanson tomorrow. We'll see what they think about it and how we should establish things, for everyone's safety.
Henry nodded. They remained silent for a couple of minutes. None of them seemed ready to leave the other but didn't know exactly what to do. Henry couldn't tell how much he has been wanting to kiss her badly probably since day one. Her lips were still a bit greasy but that made them even fuller. He was in admiration every time he was looking at her from head to toe. Not only she has a perfect symmetry within her face but she had nice attributes, he couldn't say otherwise but her lips, it has been such a luxury need and call since they first met.
He moved his fingers to her face and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She felt her knees becoming weak. Her heart started racing. What was happening?
He stepped forward next to her and gave her a long sweet kiss on her right cheek. Very close to her lips. She closed her eyes to enjoy his warmth against her. She was unable to move but she wished she has been brave enough to turn her head and have his lips going on hers.
- Thank you for the nice evening, Jo. I even enjoyed some fast food, which I hope you enjoyed too.
She softly smiled and rested her hand on top of his
- That will be our secret. Thank you for bringing me home. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night!
- Good night Jo!
He watched her step in her apartment and sighed. Maybe it was about time to really ask her on a real date.
He took a cab home, not knowing their evening wouldn't remain as quiet.
In the middle of the night, Jo's phone abruptly woke her up. She was having such a nice dream, she hated the person calling her for breaking her fantasies
- Detective Martinez – she answered with a sleepy voice
All she heard was breaths here and there. She blinked and tried again
- Hello?
Finally, someone answered but their voice was low and scared
- Detective Martinez? It's. It's Miss Johnson…
Jo sat up straight in her bed, knowing something was wrong
- What's going on?
- Karl caught me.
- Who?
- Karl! My neighbor, the guy I was telling you about… He caught me, I don't know how but he figured out I'm the one who called you and I.. That I spoke to you!
She heard noises behind Miss Johnson. Jo got off her bed and quickly dressed while holding her phone on speaker and texting Hanson and Reece to warn them before that guy was making another victim.
- Where are you? Are you home?
- No… I'm not sure. He forced me to climb in his car when I came home and I… He drove… I think I'm in a warehouse or something. I was able to run from him to hide in a corner but I don't know for how long.
Jo couldn't do anything without a location. A location! Of course
- Can you share your location with me? That would be very useful.
That poor woman seemed scared. Hanson texted her back. He was ready to go. She needed to call Henry as well. She didn't want to wake him up but they could be needing him. But he would better stay outside for his safety. Who was she kidding? Henry never listened.
She received a text with Miss Johnson's location
- I think it worked
Jo quickly opened the map and saw that's the warehouse was near the port… The Hudson's River.
- Thank you! We should be able to find you. Try not to move and stay where you are. We'll get to you soon. Hide as best as you can
She heard a loud thud.
- Okay! I need to go, he's getting closer, please hurry!
Jo was downstairs, with her gun in her hands, she quickly called Henry's number. For someone who was supposed to be sleeping, he answered pretty fast
- Hello?
- Henry, it's Jo! Sorry to wake you up but we got some news. Miss Johnson has been abducted. She's in a warehouse near Hudson's river. We need to get her before that Karl guy kills her.
- So, is that the neighbor?
- Yes, it's him. I mean that's what she told me but whoever it is, we need to go there and save her before it's too late, so I was thinking maybe you wanted to…
- I'm on my way!
- Great! Hanson will join us shortly as well. See you there!
She exited her home and quickly jumped in her car. So much for a peaceful evening.
Author's note: It's been a while since I have written something in English. But I've been planning them in forever, no pun intended. The reason I stopped posting or even writing them it's because I'm tired of the haters and one in particular who can't stop putting me down and I went through a rough path last month and I would like not to have to deal with that kind of shitty negativity anymore. So yes once again English isn't my native language so please restrain yourself on that, especially if you wouldn't do any better in my position.