My Disclaimer: NOROMO!

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CHAPTER SEVEN: Saving Joey

Circling His Prey

Before Goren stepped foot into the interrogation room to face "Michael," or as they now knew him to be, Joel Haggerty, he watched the animated film that Tim, down in tech had pulled off of his computer.

"Eames, there's no way that Joey lit that fire. He wouldn't … he couldn't."

"I know you don't want Joey to be guilty … he won't stand trial anyway Bobby. He's not mentally … responsible."

"If he did this Eames …" His train of thought trails off. He rubs the back of neck and sighs.

"What Bobby … finish your thought."

"He knows he did it. He may be mentally challenged … but … he knows right from wrong. This will catch up with him."

"We don't know for sure. It's an animated simulation of what he was going to do."

"Did do."

"Right. Did do but that doesn't mean that Joey played his part in his little film. Lets go in there and find out."

Eames and Goren enter the interrogation room. Joel is sitting, waiting … looking smug. Eames takes a seat directly across from him and Goren stands back, leaning against the two way mirror.

"Do you know why you're here Joel?"

"It's Michael."

"Joel … Joel Haggerty."

"Michael Yearly."

Bobby finally piped in.

"Ya know Joel, you've got to get up pretty early in the morning to fool the greatest Detectives in New York City … it says it right there on the wall."

Goren pushed away from the wall and began to circle the table … he even made Eames nervous.

"Yeah kid … cause we get up pretty early." Eames wasn't sure where Goren was going with this but she figured … she'd play along.

Goren pointed at his partner and said … "She's right you know … sometimes we don't even sleep and you know why that is Joel?"

"I'm sure you're gonna tell me."

He slammed his hand down on the table … Eames knew that was coming … Joel didn't.

"You're right, I am going to tell you. We don't sleep until we put scum bags like you away for a long time. We look under every rock to find slugs like you and then when we find you we don't take any shit … so do us a favor Joel, cut the crap. We know who you are what you did, why you did it and that you and your sister … what was her name again Eames?"

"Kathy."

"Right! Kathy. You and your sister Kathy, have been plotting out your revenge on the Bricker's for what? Thirteen, fourteen years … they were abusive? They burnt you … hurt your sister?

"NO! I never let them touch my sister! Never!" She cried every night but I wouldn't let them touch her … I made her run away. Social Services took her away! They took her away from me because of those … those Bastards!"

"Where is she Joel?"

Joel crossed his arms and shook his head. "I want a lawyer."

Goren decided it was time to switch tactics ... throw him off.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO JOEY?"

Eames stood up and touched Bobby's arm to calm him.

"I didn't do anything to that …"

"Watch it!"

"He ran away when he saw the lighter … I want a lawyer!"

Goren and Eames exchanged glances … that's all they needed … it was an admission of guilt as far as they were concerned … the ADA behind the two way saw it that way too.

The uniform officers came in and took him away, they still needed to find his sister.

"Good job Detectives."

"Thank you Captain."

They went to their desks to gather their messages hoping to find information on Kathy Haggerty from the FBI. Paperwork was piling up and night was now day, the Captain wanted them to catch some sleep in the crib … they were walking zombies at this point so they obliged.

The cleaning crew was in the women's crib so Eames bunked in with Goren.

They both plopped down like synchronized swimmers and put their hands behind their heads and stared up at the ceiling.

"You just keep your hands to yourself, Bobby." She couldn't see the smile on his face.

"I know your hands want to roam, Eames." He couldn't see the smile on her face.

"I'm glad Joey is in the clear."

"There's in the clear and then there's in the clear."

"What do you mean?"

"He's in an institution Eames, he's had a shitty life … I don't know … he witnessed this, he knew these people, liked these people. Other than Bricker … Melissa O'Brien and Nick Lyons were good people. Kind hearted, good Samaritans, they watched out for him. He'll remember … he'll have nightmares."

He turned his head to look at Eames. She smiled at him.

"Do you always have to carry everybody's burdens?"

"No, it's on my list … no more burden carrying."

"What number is that?"

"Eleven … comes right after taking a Cuban cooking class."

"You mean to tell me that number ten wasn't having sex in an elevator?"

"Oh my God Eames … is that what you thought?"

A pillow fight ensued …

"I can't believe you let me think that!" Smack!

"You are a detective Eames and my Partner for the past eight years, Smack!, you mean to tell me, Smack!, that you can't tell when, Smack!, I'm bluffing? Smack!

"Poor Lori!"

"Wait, time … what did you do?"

"I thought you and her … in the elevator."

He started laughing.

"You were fixing your belt!"

"So … it needed fixing. I didn't realize that you had such a dirty mind Eames … you learn a lot about some one when you sleep with them."

"WE ARE NOT SLEEPING TOGETHER!"

"No kidding … you won't stop talking."

Eames pulled out her duffle bag and grabbed her note book. She added to her list.

Number 2. Stop talking to Goren!

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Next up: Finding Kathy and Eames adds to her list. Thanks for reading.