Chapter 7
"What do you want to know Capt'n?" Brenda asked.
"Do you know if it was an accident or an execution?" Sharon asked. She needed to know, because there weren't that many people who would want to see Gull dead.
"So far there's nothin` indicating something else than collateral damage", the Chief answered rummaging throw her notes on the case.
Suddenly the rummaging stopped "Hey wait a second, why do you ask? Why would someone off him in prison?"
Sharon cleared her throat, "Chief I'm interested what happened there. This man nearly killed my daughter!" she said pointedly. Brenda Leigh Johnson had an ability to make Sharon furious. And Sharon didn't feel patient right now. It was more like feeling not like herself and that threw her off even more and made her more responsive to Brenda's infuriating behavior.
"Oh right", Brenda said in a small voice. "Uh well, I could send you a copy of the file if you like?"
Sharon hummed "That would be nice. If you can make the time the team would be happy to see you."
"I uh, I'll try. How are things going?"
"Ok, we wrapped up a case today and we have DDA Rios around a lot."
"Oh my that woman!" Brenda spat.
"Yeah that's what I thought too", Sharon gave back with a small chuckle.
Brenda laughed too "And that from you".
"Things change."
"Yes, yes they do", the Chief said and a long thoughtful silence fell before she said "Listen I have to go. It was nice talking to you Capt'n, bye!"
"Greetings to Agent Howard, bye Chief!"
When she got to her car she found a familiar figure leaning against it. It was only a matter of time, she thought. Silent treatment didn't carry the message for Douglas obviously. She saw the tension in his body, he was waiting, like a lion ready to jump at his prey and that was exactly how she felt like, like prey, when his eyes found her.
"Sharon did you receive my messages?"
She crossed her arms above her breasts "I did, I didn't read them", she said in her *Darth Raydor* voice. She didn't like this situation. It was almost like being stalked.
"So you didn't talk to my PR-Manager."
"Why would I? You said you'd take care of the pictures, you failed to do so. I don't like being played Douglas and I made a decision."
"You mean behaving like a teenager who didn't get what she wanted?"
She closed some of the distance between them and shot him an intimidating glare "This is no game Douglas. The boy is in danger, if his whereabouts are compromised. I could barely keep the DDA from putting him into witness protection this summer. I thought I made myself clear when I told you I can't have reporters digging into my personal life and you obviously didn't take me serious."
"That was why you should have called my PR-Manager she made sure they only got your name and wanted to talk about strategy with you. I said I couldn't just hand over your number and I didn't want to freak you out so I said I'd tell you and you'd call her."
She shook her head "There is no need for further damage control Douglas. This", she motioned with a hand back and forth between them "is not working." He straightened and pushed himself away from the car getting nearer to her. He had to cast his glance downwards to meet hers, although she was in her high heels. He laid his hands on her shoulders "Are you really telling me it's not working because I'm rich and get media attention?" he asked holding her gaze.
Why hadn't she put up her hand and prevented him from getting so near? She had her pulse in her throat when she answered silently "No, it's not working because you aren't capable to accept that I have a life that's not to be messed with. Money isn't going to solve everything and you can't buy me."
"Given my past could you understand that I need a little time to adjust?" he asked looking deep into her eyes.
"I could, but when kids are involved there are no second chances", she whispered, telling him with her eyes she was sorry.
Douglas nodded thoughtful and then just leaned down to place a light kiss on her lips and just left, walking down the street and away out of her life.
Hi everyone! This is a rather short one. Let me know what you think of Douglas` departure, if you like. Could use some hints for where to go from here. I'm not sure where to take this relationship, but my feeling says these two aren't done.
