"A minute of your time, Captain," Provenza said, coming into Sharon's office and closing the door.
Surprised, she looked up, "What is it, Lieutenant?"
"We've got a hit on the fingerprints."
"Really?" her eyes became larger with anticipation. "Who is it?"
"Well..." he started hesitantly, sitting down across from her. "You're not going to like it. None of us like it."
"What part will I not like?" her eyes narrowed, no longer happy.
"When was the last time you got some sleep, Captain?"
"Don't change the subject."
"You are due for a break, don't you think?" he tried again.
"And you are due to be kicked out of my office if you keep trying to manage me. What is going on?"
Sighing, he looked at her and began to point, "Now you listen to me, you have been here since early yesterday morning. You have to get home, check on Rusty, and get some sleep. The rest of us can handle this, and we'll be sure to call you when we have something significant. You're about to fall over with exhaustion, and that would be bad for all of us."
Getting up from his seat, he marched towards the door.
"Uh-uh, Lieutenant... you are not pulling that one on me. Who is the hit? Obviously it's someone you don't want me meeting, as I assume they are being brought in shortly. And for the record, I am no more tired than the rest of you, so if I go, we all go."
She had seen Julio and Amy leave earlier, but hadn't thought much of it. They were doing their jobs as usual, and she was working with the assumption the Lieutenant had given them orders.
"Could you just trust me for once?" he practically begged.
Sharon sat back in her chair and crossed her arms, daring him to continue.
"Please..."
"Do I have a history with this person, Lieutenant?"
"Yeah, you can say that again," Provenza said under his breath.
Sharon sat straighter in her chair. "Who is it, Lieutenant? Do I have to declare a conflict of interest?"
"Well... no, I don't think so. It's not familial, if that's what you're worried about. Besides, it's just for questioning. We don't know if this is the killer or not."
She started rubbing her head, "Why are we going around in circles? If you are trying to be secretive, you are doing a poor job, Lieutenant. I will find out who this is, if I have to go out through those doors and ask everyone else."
"No one is keeping this from you indefinitely, Captain, we just need you to be... be somewhere else for about an hour or two. Don't you have something you can do at home, even if it's not sleeping."
"Lieutenant, might I remind you I am the head of this division, and there is nothing that should be happening here behind my back. If Chief Taylor calls again, how would I be able to respond? Sorry sir, but my squad is keeping me in the dark, you'll just have to ask me later? I don't think so, Lieutenant, so out with it!"
Sharon started to glare at him, she was not interested in playing any game with her people. Glancing out, she noticed Flynn was looking at her with a mixture of sadness and guilt, while Tao was watching from his desk, clicking his pen needlessly. "Oh, for god's sake..." she took in all three men, turning her full fury on the one in front of her.
"Doesn't a few hours at home sound like a good idea?" he said weakly. "A shower, perhaps, something to eat?"
"No it doesn't."
"Why not?" he tried to laugh it off.
Sharon seethed at him, "Because Jack is there, if you really must know."
Provenza's face dropped, and he leaned in to her, "What's he doing there? I thought you changed the locks. I told you to do it. Why didn't you listen to me?"
"I did listen, Lieutenant, and I agreed with you. I did have the locks changed, and told all of you where the spare key was here in the office. Rusty didn't want him walking up the entire building, so he let Jack in."
"Oh great," he said, throwing up his hands.
"My sentiments exactly, so no, I don't want to go home."
"Aren't you afraid for Rusty being there by himself?" he raised his eyebrow and turned slightly, hoping the argument would make her leave.
"Really, Lieutenant? That's the best you've got? I am not that easily distracted. Who is the witness?"
"Sharon..." he began.
"Sharon?" she replied. "You are resorting to my first name? Am I going to hate it that much?"
"Yeah," he sighed, then looked at Flynn who was still watching outside her office window. Provenza nodded, and Andy entered.
"No luck?" Andy asked, "didn't think so."
"Yeah... but it was worth a try."
Andy handed Sharon a folder.
Looking from one to the other, Sharon took the folder then opened it and scanned the report inside.
"You can't be serious," she gasped, looking inside.
"We ran it twice," Andy said apologetically as he leaned over and pointed to the note on the bottom.
"Oh... Lieutenants, I am most definitely not going home," she said emphatically.
"You can't be part of the interview. We can't even do the interview without an outsider or a DDA in the room."
"Do you have a current address?" she asked, looking at the clock and seeing it was already past four in the morning.
Provenza nodded and said softly, "Julio and Amy are headed there now."
"Alright, call for a DDA. See who's available. This has to be done by the book, am I making myself clear?" she looked from one man to another.
"Crystal," Provenza grunted.
