A/N Wow, you guys! What an amazing response! Thank you so much. So, by request, here's the second chapter. I should mention that it's only a short story, for no other reason than I didn't think I could keep Lilly and Scotty apart for too long, LOL. Oh yeah, and if anything is unclear, just let me know and I'll do my best to elaborate! :)

Disclaimer: If I did own Cold Case, I would totally rewrite the end of 7x03, and then air it again, just so Cold Case fans can be happy.


Beep. Click.

Detective Rush, this is your wake up call. The time is now 7:05am.

Breakfast is currently being served in the dining room.

Click.


To: J. Stillman, S. Valens

From: L. Rush

Subject: Suspect #1

Spoke to the local mechanic. Apparently Owen was a pretty stand up guy. Steve (the mechanic) says there's only one guy bearing a grudge: Colin Jennings.

Sheriff says Jennings and Owen got into something the night before the murder about a girl.

Could really use some help.

Rush


To: K. Miller

From: N. Vera

Subject: Dumb and Dumber

So how long do you think it'll take 'em to work it out? $20 says end of next week.


To: N. Vera

From: K. Miller

Subject: Re. Dumb and Dumber

No way will it take that long. End of this week, by the time Lil gets back from Hicksville.


MommaBear signed in.

LillyRush signed in.

LillyRush: I think I'm going to die.

MommaBear: That bad?

LillyRush: Worse.

MommaBear: Tell me you have a working toilet...

LillyRush: Just. Takes twenty minutes for the shower to get hot, though.

MommaBear: Sounds great, Lil. It's a shame you don't have some fiery Southern cowboy to snuggle up to...

LillyRush: Stop.

MommaBear: Oh yeah, I forgot.

LillyRush: ...forgot what?

MommaBear: that you prefer

PhilliesFan signed in.

PhilliesFan: wots happenin ladeez?

LillyRush: Do me a favor and never let anyone see you typing like a teenager.

MommaBear: And do ME a favor and never let anyone see you typing. You're gonna punch a hole in the damn keyboard.

LillyRush: lol

PhilliesFan: when are you comin back Lil?

LillyRush: ASAP. Why?

PhilliesFan: coz Valens keeps checkin his email

PhilliesFan: and there r only so many times you can hear "you have no new messages"

MommaBear: Nick, we have a case.

LillyRush: What kind of case?

MommaBear: Don't you worry your pretty little head about our case. You just keep doing your thing down in Hicksville.

LillyRush: Harleyville.

MommaBear: Whatever.

PhilliesFan: bye Lil!

MommaBear: see ya soon!

LillyRush: Bye!

LillyRush signed out.

PhilliesFan signed out.

MommaBear signed out.

LillyRush signed in.

MommaBear signed in.

LillyRush: What do I prefer?

MommaBear: ...Spanish Romeos...

LillyRush: shut up.

LillyRush signed out.

MommaBear signed out.


Beep. Click.

You have reached Sheriff McCarthy at the Harleyville Police Department. No-one is around to take your call, but please feel free to leave a message.

If you are in need of emergency assistance, well...we'll get somebody to you as soon as possible.

This is a message for Detective Rush, from Lt. Stillman. Look into the name Monty Carlisle. Hope that helps, Lil.

Click.


To: S. Valens, J. Stillman

From: L. Rush

Subject: Case #467392

Spoke to Monty Carlisle. Sticks to his statement that Jimmy Owen was seen going into his apartment with a red-haired woman the day of his murder. No reports that Jimmy had a girlfriend down here, but the original forensics report turned up lipstick on...a particular body part.

The town council has its meeting the second Tuesday of every month, which happens to be tonight. Sheriff McCarthy added Jimmy Owen to the agenda. Thinks the town will come up with something.

I'll call if I find something big.

Rush


To: L. Rush

From: J. Stillman

Subject: Re. Case #467392

Lil,

Took another look at the evidence report- no struggle, sex during or shortly before his death, strangled with something like a belt.

High levels of alcohol in his system, and there's a receipt for 'Barney's Tavern on 5th'. I want you to check it out.

Stillman


To: L. Rush, K. Miller

From: N. Vera

Subject: -

HARD WORK? TOUGH FAMILY? BORED AT HOME?

LADIES, YOU NEED RELAXING?

JOIN US AT ULTRASPA FOR ONLY $24 MONTHLY AND GET RID OF ALL YOUR EXTRA STRESS.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR OUR LATEST DEALS AND OUR MEMBERSHIP DETAILS


To: N. Vera

From: L. Rush

Subject: -

Vera,

Stop sending me spam messages.

Rush


To: J. Stillman

From: Sheriff Bob McCarthy

Subject: Detective Rush

John,

I understand that Det. Rush is one of your best officers, but does she have to be so damn stubborn? I tried to get her to take my deputy with her, because The Bar Crawl is no place for a lady, and she just flat out refused.

Could you have a word? With her best interests at heart, obviously.

Another thing. Is there a man waiting for Rush back there? I got three guys biting at the bit to ask her out, but she's always talking on the phone to some guy. Scotty something. Let me know so I can break it to the boys gently.

All the best,

Bob


To: Sheriff Bob McCarthy

From: J. Stillman

Subject: Re. Detective Rush

Bob,

I apologize for Rush's attitude- she's most likely overcompensating for being in a new situation. I've already e-mailed her, but if she continues to be difficult, let me know.

Scotty Valens is Lilly's partner. They're close.

All the best,

John


To: L. Rush

From: J. Stillman

Subject: Attitude

Lil,

Stop giving them the Ice Cream treatment.

Stillman


To: J. Stillman

From: L. Rush

Subject: Re. Attitude

Boss,

I don't appreciate people assuming I can't look after myself just because I'm not morbidly obese.

And that Ice Cream/Queen crack was so funny I forgot to laugh.

Lil


To: S. Valens

From: J. Stillman

Subject: Rush

Scotty,

Stop calling Lil. She'll let you know if there's anything she needs.

Stillman


To: J. Stillman

From: S. Valens

Subject: Re. Rush

Sorry, boss. I just don't like the idea of Lilly not having one of us with her.


To: S. Valens

From: J. Stillman

Subject: Re. Re. Rush

If I didn't think Lilly could handle it, I'd send you down to join her. You know that.

Get back to work.


To: L. Rush

From: K. Miller

Subject: Crazy Feline Things

Rush,

Your cats are seriously out of their minds. I expect you to buy me coffee for a week for even going near them.

Miller


A/N Just to clarify: MommaBear is Kat Miller and PhilliesFan is Nick Vera. Hope you thought it was OK! :)