Disclaimer: See Chapter 1 and 2. And every chapter of everything else I've ever written in my entire life.


Vera, Jeffries and Miller sat lounging around their desks, carelessly flipping through files related to the 2003 Cold Case. Vera looked at his watch. Miller chuckled at the pained expression that flashed across his face.

"How long has she been in there? There ain't nothin' more Lil can get that I didn't," he sulked.

Jeffries laughed.

"You worried Lil's gonna show you up, Nick?" Vera scowled at his colleague. Scotty appeared beside them, closely followed by Lilly. She kept her eyes fixed on the file held in her hands, nearly tripping over the desk.

"Bobby Dillon," she murmured.

"Bobby Dillon?" Miller repeated questioningly.

"The AA group leader. Anyone talk to him?" Lilly asked softly, scanning the page. Vera and Jeffries exchanged confused glances.

"Uh, Lil, the group leader is called James Walker."

Her head shot up.

"What?" The three men looked at each other in surprise. Huh? Lilly's confused? That's new, Vera thought.

"The guy that runs the AA meetings is called James Walker. It's in the file."


She quickly read the offending paragraph, before heading back into the interrogation room. Scotty was right behind her, shutting the door. Lilly sat down in her previous seat. Damn if I'm going to let this woman play me, she thought angrily. She felt Scotty's eyes burning into his back, and could practically feel his concern.

"Mrs Redgrave, are you familiar with a man called James Walker?" Lilly asked.

"No," she said with a shake of her head.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm certain."

"Really? Because you've been meeting regularly for the last three years."

"What?"

"Alcoholics Anonymous. Mr Walker is your group leader."

Complete confusion was written across Mrs Redgrave's face. Lilly's eyes were cold, her temper beginning to wear.

"N-n-no. I just told you. My group leader is called Bobby. Bobby Dillon."

The blonde detective opened the folder, and slid across the table, pointing to a paragraph.

"Read that." Mrs Redgrave looked down at the paper.

"Character witnesses…Julia Redgrave. Mr James Walker, Alcoholics Anonymous group leader."

"You sure you don't know Mr Walker?"

Scotty saw desperation in Mrs Redgrave's eyes.

"Uh, Lil?" She glared at him.

"What?" she ground out.

"Can I, uh, talk to you?" His partner rolled her eyes, and flinging the door open, storming out into the office.

She turned furiously to face him.

"What the hell are you doing?" she exploded. Scotty almost cowered under her icy glare.

"Uh, Lil, I don't think she knew what you were talkin' about."

"People lie, Scotty! My God, are you really that…?" Stillman walked over to them, frowning.

"Rush! Stop shouting." Lilly shut her mouth abruptly.

Lilly turned away, running a hand through her hair. Scotty sighed. Stillman looked between them, shaking his head.

"Bobby Dillon has gone MIA. If you can work together," he said pointedly, " and get down to the 22nd street AA building and see what you can find out."

Barely controlling her temper, Lilly hurriedly grabbed her coat and scarf. Avoiding all eye contact, she practically ran towards the elevator, slipping through the doors before Scotty had a chance to even get his coat. Yeah, she hates you, he thought.

Stillman watched her disappear. Turning back to his male detective, the older man felt a small smile appear on his face.

"You might wanna take her a coffee and a muffin."

"Yeah?" Scotty said doubtfully. Stillman nodded reassuringly.

"I can't promise she won't throw them at you, though."


Before meeting Lilly in the car park, Scotty ran across to the Starbucks opposite the police building. Slightly out of breath, he waited impatiently until he reached the counter.

"Double mocha latte with extra chocolate sprinkles," he said hurriedly, "and a chocolate chip muffin."

The man behind the counter raised an amused eyebrow.

"Who'd you piss off?" Scotty narrowed his eyes.

"Excuse me?"

"Listen, dude, I work here 8 'til 5, 7 days a week. Double mocha latte with extra chocolate sprinkles? It's a chick's drink," the guy said with a smirk, passing Scotty the paper bag that held the muffin.

Scotty rolled his eyes.

"You always talk this much?" he asked irritably, watching as the worker fitted the lid onto the cardboard cup. He laughed.

"So who is she? Girlfriend?" Scotty handed a $5 bill over the counter.

"Somethin' like that," he replied, running back across the street.


A few minutes later, he entered the sheltered car park, and breathed a sigh of relief as he saw the white blonde head waiting next to his car. At least she didn't drive off. Scotty approached in silence.

"I thought I told you not to creep up on me," Lilly said quietly. He smiled softly. With a sigh, his partner turned around to face him. Scotty held out the coffee and the bag.

"Peace offering?" he asked. Lilly raised a questioning eyebrow, and peered inside. He got me coffee and a muffin? That's kinda sweet.

A soft smile spread across her face.

"You didn't have to." Scotty took a step back.

"Are you gonna throw it at me?" Lilly laughed, and tossed him the keys.

"Just get in the damn car, Valens." With a grin, he did as he was told.


They pulled up outside the 22nd street AA building. Lilly looked up at it in distaste. Scotty glanced at her.

"You alright, Lil?" She nodded.

"I'm fine."

Scotty headed up the steps, and pushing the door, he swore quietly when he found it was locked.

"It's locked," Lilly stated, coming up behind him. He nodded.

"Yeah. What are we gonna do? Wait here?"

Lilly's eyes settled on a young person sitting a few feet away.

"We ask her," she suggested.

"You sure, Lil?" His partner nodded.

"Excuse me?" Lilly called, flipping open her badge. The girl looked up from her sketchpad, her eyes widening. Scotty pocketed his ID, and as they approached the kid, he gave the girl a quick smile. Lilly took a step closer.

"What's your name?" The girl, who was around 14, raised her eyebrows, running a hand through her brown hair.

"What's yours?" she replied quickly. Lilly laughed softly.

"Lilly Rush. This is Detective Valens."

The girl studied them carefully for a moment, before sitting back on the steps, her arms folded.

"Miley. Miley Jameson." Lilly smiled gratefully.

"How old are you?" Scotty asked, "And don't even think about askin' me how old I am." Lilly rolled her eyes. Miley smirked.

"Is he always like that?" Lilly stifled a laugh, and nodded.

"Yes."

Turning her brown eyes back to Scotty, Miley shrugged.

"Almost 15." The male detective glanced down at the sketchpad.

"What're you drawin'?" She covered the page protectively, narrowing her eyes.

Lilly pulled a photo of Julia Redgrave out of her pocket, showing it to the girl.

"Miley, have you ever seen this woman?" She barely glanced at it, before nodding.

"Sure. That's Katy's Mom."

The two detectives exchanged victorious glances. Lilly slid the photo back into her pocket.

"You knew Katy?" Miley nodded again.

"That kid was alright."


The plot thickens...like my Mom's custard...