Hi everyone! Thanks for all your reviews, follows and favorites, they're like cat nip to us writers and you just make me want to keep on writing about our favorite couple.

I do want to clear up one thing, despite the fact the Carter and Fusco's victim was a slave, I will not be going all SVU on you and writing any graphic descriptions of the crimes the victim suffered. I think they are simply not needed for this particular story. The description of the victims injuries in the last chapter is as graphic as I will get, so no one needs to read between their fingers. I also promise to lay off crimes against kids for the next few fics after this one!

Now let's go meet Reese and Shaw's new number...


Chapter 3 - Jason Mercer

Shaw and Reese took up a position on the roof of an unused warehouse next door to Mercer Bros. Trucking, which consisted of a small truck yard with a few diesel pumps, a couple of trailers, and couple of big rigs, and combination garage/warehouse with office space on the second floor

Their number was in the office on the second floor of the building, looking like just about any other trucking company executive. He was in his 50s with graying hair styled in a crew cut, clean shaven with deep set eyes on either side of a bulbous nose. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, exposing his muscular and tattooed forearms. He was relaxing in his chair with his feet on the desk on front of him while he chatted amiably with whoever was on the other end of the line.

"We need to get into his office and look around," Shaw said.

Reese grunted. "Finch set up an appointment for us with him at 11." He glanced over at his partner. "Unbutton a couple of buttons before we go. I'll need you to distract him."

Shaw rolled her eyes. "Not that again," she whined. "Call Joss and let her be the distraction this time. I'm sick of being ogled by creeps."

Reese raised an eyebrow and the one corner of his mouth. "Sorry Sam, Joss has a day job. And, if you will recall, this is your day job."

Shaw made a rude noise and unbuttoned the top two buttons on her blouse. She undid her ponytail and fluffed her hair. She dug in her back pack and pulled out a small makeup case. With a swipe of mascara and some lipstick, she was ready to go.

"Let's do this," she grumbled.

"You'd look good if it weren't for the angry face," Reese observed. "Remember what Joss is always telling you: smile. No wonder you don't have a boyfriend."

"I don't want a boyfriend. I'd rather have Bear sleep over," Shaw pouted

Reese rolled his eyes. "I'm not touching that."

Shaw glared at her partner. "You'd better not. I may look like a tart, but I'm still armed to the teeth."

"Then we're ready. Let's go."

They got in the car and drove over to Mercer Trucking, parking in the visitor spot in front of the door, right next to a brand new and very expensive top of the line Lexus. Shaw climbed out of the car and noted the parking space was marked "Mr. Mercer."

"Our number is doing well for himself," she noted. "He's no Finch, of course, but that car doesn't come cheap. He's probably the perp; rich guys are always the perp."

"I heard that!" Finch snapped in their earwigs.

Reese and Sam smirked at each other across the roof of the car. They went inside and Reese introduced Shaw and himself to the bored looking receptionist. "Mr. and Mrs. Anderson from Universal Imports to see Mr. Mercer."

The receptionist looked annoyed that her online shoe shopping was interrupted, but punched a key on her computer to bring up the schedule. "Yeah, he's expecting you." She tapped a button on her phone. "The Andersons are here to see you."

"Send them up, Amelia," came the deep male voice from the other end of the line.

Amelia waved her hand at the stairs. "Upstairs, first door on the right."

"Thanks." Reese smiled his most flirtatious smile at the woman, but she had already gone back to looking at shoes online.

"You made a big impression there," Shaw snorted under her breath to Reese as they walked up the stairs.

"Let's see you do better with Mercer," Reese shot back.

Shaw straightened her posture, threw back her shoulders, and thrust her breasts out. "Count on it. Boobs are lethal, never forget it."

The first door on the right was propped open and they paused while Reese tapped on the doorframe, drawing Mercer's attention. Mercer stood up with a genial smile on his face and waved them in. "You must be the Andersons!" he boomed.

Reese shook his hand, and it seemed Mercer was trying crush his fingers the grip was so tight. Though Reese was more than capable of playing that game, he merely smiled. He also noticed that Mercer's grip was not nearly as tight on Shaw's hand, for which he was grateful. Shaw's self-control was not the best and Reese didn't want Shaw pounding on him until they knew whether he was the perpetuator or victim.

Reese also noticed that Mercer's eyes never traveled above Shaw's chest. She actually had to jerk her hand out of Mercer's to break the stare. Reese was rather glad they had not called Joss. Had Mercer ogled his mate like that, Reese would have had to take swift and brutal action. As it was, Reese was rather worried about Shaw's self-control. The trucking company owner was unknowingly skating on some very thin ice right now.

Mercer sat down, still staring at Shaw's chest. Even Reese was starting to get uncomfortable with how brazen the man was being. Reese cleared his throat, bringing Mercers' attention to him and giving his partner a break. A few more minutes of this and Reese just might turn Shaw loose on the man even if he was innocent.

"What can I do for you Mr. Anderson?" Mercer asked politely when he was finally able to tear himself away from Shaw's tatas.

Reese cleared his throat again when he saw Mercer's eyes beginning to wander back to Shaw again. "We own an import business, Universal Imports, perhaps you've heard of us?"

Mercer shook his head. "Can't say as I have, sorry."

Reese shrugged. "No matter. Our business has really taken off in the last few years and the trucking company we currently do business with is not able to haul all the loads we need. We're in the market for another company that can take some of loads that our current partners can't."

Mercer leaned back in his chair. "I'm sorry, but I can't help you. I have all the work I can handle. We're very busy"

Reese looked disappointed. "Are you sure you aren't looking to expand? This could be a very lucrative deal for you."

"I'm sure."

Shaw, who had been taking advantage of the conversation between Reese and their number to blue jack his phone, completed her task and slipped her phone back into her pocket. "Um, excuse me," she interjected, fluttering her eyelashes and giggling as Joss had taught her. "Could you show me the way to the ladies room?"

Mercer hopped up with an eager gleam in his eye. "Of course! It's downstairs and around the corner. I'll walk you there."

As Shaw and Mercer left the office, Shaw shot Reese a look over her shoulder that plainly said, You owe me, sucka.

As soon as they left, Reese got busy. He stuck a flash drive into the USB port on the computer and Finch's program swiftly began copying data. Reese planted a bug on the land line and hid a tiny web cam on the frame of picture hanging on the wall that would give Finch a good view of Mercer and whoever would be sitting across the desk from him.

Several minutes later he heard Shaw's shrill giggle coming back up the stairs, signaling to him they were on their way back. Reese jerked the flash drive out of the slot and stuck it in his pocket just before Mercer and Shaw entered the room.

Reese smiled at Shaw. "Feel better, honey?"

She gritted her teeth. "Much."

Reese turned to Mercer. "Last chance to change your mind."

Mercer gave him an insincere smile. "No. Thank you for the offer, though."

Reese shook hands with the man and he and Shaw left, much to Shaw's relief. As they walked out the door past Amelia, who didn't even look up from her screen, they looked around at the empty lot. "Very busy my ass," Shaw snarled as she slid into the driver's seat.

"And yet he can afford that," Reese jerked his thumb in the direction of the expensive car parked next to them.

"This place doesn't pass the smell test, as Fusco would say," Shaw snapped as she started the car and threw it into gear.

"No it doesn't," Reese agreed.

They spent the rest of the day watching the trucking company, but absolutely nothing happened. No visitors, no trucks coming and going, no signs that Mercer Bros was a viable business at all.

Shaw leaned forward on the edge of the roof and glared down at the office. "Is it just me, or is this the most boring company ever?" she grumbled.

Reese leaned next to her. "It's not you. I don't see how this place stays in in business."

They watched as Mercer left the office and climbed into his car. Shaw stood up straight. "I'll take the first watch. Can you relive me at midnight?"

Reese waved his hand. "Go, call me if you need me."

Shaw nodded and left. Reese followed her down the stairs and got into his car. He headed for home, grateful to Shaw for allowing him an evening at home with his family.