Chapter 7:

"See you tomorrow," Sharon said at the door.

"You just can't get enough, can't you?" Flynn said jokingly.

Sharon rolled her eyes. "I mean at work," she said coldly, though she thought it was funny. She never let her emotions show through her voice or on her face.

"Let me walk you to your car," Flynn said, changing the subject.

"No, it's okay. It's not late," she said monotonically as always, repeating her words from a few minutes ago, when he first offered to accompany her. He bent down and kissed her lips shortly, knowing that there was no use in arguing with her. They cast each other a last smile and then Sharon opened the door and left.

She walked quickly to her car in the dark parking lot, and a chill went through her body. She scanned the parking lot briefly, but there was no one there but her. Still, she felt like she wasn't alone. She sped up to her car, stopping by the door to cast one last look around. Once again, it seemed deserted. She shook her head and got inside her car quickly, locking the doors. "I'm being ridiculous," she muttered to herself as she started the car.

(***)

A week later, Sharon drove Rusty to school earlier than usual. He was going on a three days field trip, although he was reluctant about leaving her alone.

"Maybe you should call and say I'm sick," he tried to convince her when she stopped the car in front of the school.

"I thought you wanted to go," Sharon said, squinting her eyes a little when she examined his face.

"Yeah… but what if this person keeps calling and hanging up? What if it's someone dangerous?" he asked nervously. Sharon wanted to caress his head to calm him down, but instead she put her hand on his shoulder.

"I'm a police officer. Don't worry," she said quietly. Deep inside, she was a little worried about these hang ups that bothered her all week. She tried to trace the calls at work but they were all made from a disposable cell that was purchased in cash.

Rusty hesitated for a moment, but then opened the door. "Well… see you when I get back," he muttered and got out of the car.

"Have fun!" Sharon said just before he closed the door.

A little while later, she entered the murder room, collectively greeting her squad members that were already there.

"Ah, Captain," Provenza said as soon as he saw her. "This was left on my table," he handed her a sealed envelope with her name on it. There was no stamp or address.

"Thank you," she said as she took it from his hands and opened it. Inside it was a folded paper. She unfolded it and started to read it.

Dear Sharon,

I've been in LA for a few weeks now,

and I've been DYING to see you.

Expect my visit soon.

Your loving husband.

Sharon froze with the letter in her hands. She turned pale and her chest felt heavy. Flynn was watching her from his desk and noticed the change in her. He got to his feet and walked to her. "Captain, are you feeling alright?" he asked in concern. Provenza got up too and looked at her curiously.

"Um… yes," she answered in a shaky voice and lowered the letter so that no one would see it. She muttered "excuse me" and walked to her office, trying to look normal. She walked around her desk and sat slowly on the chair, just as Flynn entered her office. He closed the door behind him and stood at the other side of the desk, staring at her. "We're supposed to pretend," she said quietly in her monotonic voice.

"Provenza sent me to check on you. I rolled my eyes at him before I came here, so I think we're good," he said sarcastically.

Sharon didn't respond. She kept quiet for a moment, her mind racing. The letter laid on the desk, close to her, and her gaze dropped to it for a second. "Do you want to come over tonight?" she asked suddenly.

Flynn froze for a moment, taken by surprise. "Are you sure you're alright?" he asked hesitantly.

"Will you come? After work," she figured that while Flynn was in her apartment, HE wouldn't dare to show up.

Flynn was sure that there was something she wasn't telling him. "Sure," he said quietly, determined to solve the mystery.