Another Mystery Solved

Chapter 10

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The FBI, under the auspices of Agent Frank Rigby, served search warrants at several Major Crime Unit's individual residences as well as the Silver Springs warehouse. They went searching their homes, offices and private vehicles for evidence related to the fencing of stolen goods. The Task Force agents also eventually arrested the wife of Randall Hurley and several of the warehouse security guards.

But arresting the ringleader, Randall Hurley, at his place of work was something Agent Rigby really looked forward to.

And because of Sean and Michelle's contribution in bringing to light this illegal operation, Agent Rigby had informed them to meet him and his agents at the police squad room to arrest Hurley and six other members of his unit.

"Hey, thanks Rigby for the heads up," Michelle said as they walked down the hallway leading to the squad room, "You're not as uptight as everyone said you were."

"Who said that I'm uptight?" Rigby inquired, seemingly taken aback by that comment.

"Like Michelle said, Everyone," Sean opinioned.

Rigby shot Sean a cold glance, "You understand that I don't have to let you in on this arrest, don't you?"

"So sensitive are we now, Rigs?" Sean charmingly smiled, patting Rigby on the shoulder while they continued walking, "But, you know, unlike other people, I've never been the type to judge you; I've just been the one to point out all the mistakes you're making."

Michelle smiled secretly to herself.

"Hmmph!" Rigby guffawed as they now entered the squad room.

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It seemed to be break time for 'the boys' of the Major Crime Unit. Four detectives were huddled around Randall Hurley's desk. From all the laughter heard, it was obvious they were trading off detective stories they've encountered. They were unaware that Rigby, Sean and Michelle were even there. Hurley was just beginning his story.

"...Joe, you may think your story about a perp shoplifting condoms was funny," Hurley was saying, "but I can top that! I once knew a guy who held up a bank with a BB gun!"

"Hmm...interesting, but not so impressive," Joe noted.

Sean nudged Michelle and whispered, "Hey...he's one of the guys who attacked me with the stun gun!"

"...oh, I haven't even started yet!" Hurley continued his story to his cronies, "Know why the guy robbed the bank? Turns out he wanted to get away from his wife because, according to him, she was a holy terror!"

The detectives chuckled.

"He robbed a bank to get away from his wife?" questioned a second one, "No way!"

Michelle nudged Sean back and whispered, "Don't tell me -he's the second guy who beat you?"

Sean nodded.

"I don't think that is so unbelievable!" a third one piped in, regarding Hurley's story, "I have one of those holy terrors at home myself!"

Everyone laughed.

"I kid you not!" Hurley was saying, "The guy remained at the bank an extra four minutes after the teller gave him the loot to ensure we would arrive and arrest him. In other words, he'd prefer prison over wedding vows!"

Laughter erupted.

When it was quiet again, Agent Rigby stepped forward and identified himself, Sean and Michelle. The detectives suddenly became quiet and looked uncomfortably around. Hurley, however, continued to look arrogant.

"What can I do for you, Mr. FBI Man and...his go-fers" he said smugly to Rigby, Sean and Michelle. He had not bothered to address any of them by name.

"I'm here because we've recovered a major crime ring in the Silver Springs area, trafficking in stolen goods." Agent Rigby explained.

Hurley continued to look disinterested.

"I'm sure you're mistaken, Agent," Hurley stated with certainty, "Nothing ever happens in Silver Springs that we don't know about, right Joe?"

Joe adjusted his collar, "Hey...yeah...that's right."

"Unfortunately, it IS true that nothing happens in Silver Springs without your knowledge, Hurley," Sean spoke out, "and so you definitely know all about the stolen merchandise kept secretly at a warehouse, since you're the pea-brain behind the operation."

Hurley had a reaction now as he stood up and got right into Sean's face, "Get the hell outta here!" He yelled angrily.

But Sean continued talking.

"Turns out you've been busy," Sean didn't back down, even through Hurley's face was right next to his, "According to our records, you and your illegal posse here have been clearing twenty thousand dollars a month selling stolen goods online through auction sites."

Hurley stabbed his index finger at Sean's chest with each word he spoke, "You. Are. A. LIAR!" he blustered.

"Stand down, Hurley," Agent Rigby warned, "or you'll soon experience the full wrath of the FBI."

Hurley stood back, holding out his opened hands in a familiar 'everything is cool' gesture.

Michelle spoke up, "Agent Rigby, I think Detective Hurley is upset because he's confused. He doesn't understand that the Major Crime Unit is supposed to prevent crimes not commit them."

"Well, he won't be confused anymore," Rigby promised.

Upon hearing that, Hurley made an effort to escape and shot out of his seat. But he had the misfortune of passing right by Michelle. She calmly stuck out her leg, tripping him. When he fell and tried to get up, she kicked him in the back to keep him on the ground. Hard. Then she roughly brought him back up by the scuff of his neck.

"Where are you going, Hurley?" she questioned, right to his face.

"Ow! Lady!" His eyes bugged out in fright, "You've tripped me and then kicked me on purpose!"

"You call that a kick?" Michelle asked.

Then while still managing to keep a grip on Hurley, Michelle speedily side-kicked the two men whom Sean had singled out as having tasered him earlier.

"Oomphff!" both men reacted to her kicks, holding their stomachs.

"Now THAT'S a kick!" Michelle told Hurley as Sean looked down to hide a grin.

Hurley tried to swallow away his fear, "Uh...well..." he recovered as he sneered at Michelle," Still, you broke my back!" he accused her.

"I'm not your chiropractor, ask if I care!" she countered, as she shoved Hurley over to Rigby, who immediately handcuffed him.

And then as if on cue, the rest of Hurley's men turned at the sound of other footsteps as other agents entered the squad room, blocking the entrance way.

Then in his most official sounding voice, Rigby stated, "Randall Hurley, you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law..."

As Rigby read Hurley his rights, the other agents moved in and handcuffed the other detectives. Meanwhile, Hurley did not look repentant. He glared at Rigby.

"I'm going to sue the hell out of the FBI!" Hurley threatened.

"Good luck finding an attorney in prison, Hurley," Rigby stated in his usual calm tone.

Soon there were sounds of beepers and cell phones trilling throughout the squad room as the detectives looked at each other, baffled.

"Ignore those calls, gentlemen," announced Sean, "It's just your wives and mates warning you that agents are swarming your residences and cars. The warehouse has also been seized."

"You're bluffing," Hurley looked like he was ready to spit on Rigby, "You've got nothing on me. Nothing! Me and the boys aren't saying a word until we've spoken with our union attorneys!"

"You might want to reconsider and start talking, Hurley," Sean stated, "Your wife is already in a prison cell. Anything you tell us can make life easier for her."

Hurley's combative expression fell at last.

"You've...you've arrested my wife?"

"Oh yes," Michelle told him, "but don't torture yourself too much picturing the horrible fates that await her if you do nothing,"

And as Rigby led him away, Hurley was cussing the three of them all the way down the squad room hallway.

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They were on their way back to the office. As Sean drove on, he decided to broach Michelle about something he had been thinking about on and off the entire day. The only problem was, not only was it awkward, it also wasn't a big deal, except to him. He had stopped at a light and thought it was now or never.

"So, Michelle, going back to the morning, I wanted to ask you about who was the one who had actually been checking me out for injuries..."

The corners of Michelle's mouth upturned. She liked having the upper hand with Sean. From the passenger seat, she turned and looked directly at him, wanting to see his reaction.

"Are you still on that topic, Sean?" she asked.

"There's no still on that topic, Michelle," Sean stated, "I just want to know the answer to one simple question and then we'll be done with it: was it you or Edgar who checked me out?"

Michelle pondered how to answer. Although she had kept the conversation light regarding this situation, when Edgar had initially found Sean unconscious from being tasered, it had caused her quite a bit of concern:

Edgar had called Michelle and when she immediately arrived, they dragged an unconscious Sean into his bed. She had already checked him out overall for broken bones and now that he was comfortably in his bed, she would now check for any swellings, bumps, or bruises. Worriedly she reached out and pulled his shirt out. She was surprised as to her reaction when she slid her hands beneath his clothing and awareness rippled through her. Her pulse seemed to race as her fingers passed over the muscles of his chest and the sturdy wall of his ribs. At one point, she jumped as Sean moaned when she touched one of his sides.

For a second she withdrew her hand, but when she heard nothing further coming from him, she began to unbutton his shirt. Immediately she felt these strange, indescribable flutterings in the pit of her stomach. As she unbuttoned his fourth button, her hand began to shake. If she got a reaction like this just from touching under his shirt, she couldn't imagine feelings he would evoke from her if this was not an examination.

After feeling about his abdomen area she hit a sensitive spot and he let out another moan. She paused. And as she waited, a singular thought entered her mind: right now she had access to touch anywhere on his body she wanted to. Anywhere. And that thought titillated yet scared her at the same time. She turned and looked out the doorway of his bedroom.

"Edgar!" she yelled out, "Could you get in here? You need to do something for me!"

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Michelle snapped out of her musings to answer Sean's question as to whether it was her or Edgar that had examined her. She decided, for once, to tell the truth.

"If you must know," Michelle stated honestly to Sean as they continued driving, "it was Edgar who had examined you."

Sean gave a quick sideways glance to Michelle. From her tone and expression, he knew she was telling the truth. Yet he didn't understand why he felt a stab of disappointment at that knowledge. He could've sworn he felt her touch underneath his clothes. It felt so real.

"Figures," Sean stated, as he turned on the familiar street to reach the office.

Michelle took a deep breath in to calm herself. She had told herself that usually she had the upper hand in s situation, that she enjoyed routinely torturing Sean's curiosity. But looking back at her reaction to touching his body, she realized she was the one being tortured.

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It was the end of another day. Sean, Michelle and Edgar were in the office. Sean had just gotten off the phone with Agent Rigby who informed them that the raid was a complete success and they had apprehended every member of Hurley's unit except one.

"Oh really?" Michelle said, "Whom did they miss?"

"I believe Rigby said it was a detective named Samuel Jones."

"How did he escape arrest?" Michelle asked.

"That's the strange thing," Sean said, "He didn't. Jones hasn't shown up for work in three days."

"So he skipped town?"

"They don't know."

Michelle tilted her head, "They don't know? You mean there isn't any record of him using his credit card or withdrawing money from his ATM or anything?"

"No clues to his whereabouts at all," Sean was in deep thought, "Any theories they may have come up with is basically a shot in the dark."

Michelle at first slowly nodded at his words. Then as if inspired, her eyes became bright.

"Wait... Sean, what did you just say?"

"About what?"

"About the theories of what happened to Detective Jones."

Sean looked confused, "Uh...that...it's a shot in the dark?"

"Exactly!" she snapped her fingers and turned to Edgar, "Edgar, can you bring up the medical records for Detective Samuel Jones, please?"

Sean looked baffled, but she was too excited with anticipation as Edgar's fingers went flying. And then he was done.

"I have the medical records, Michelle," Edgar stated as he stared at the screen.

"Good," she stated, "now, can you check to see if Samuel Jones had ever been shot in the shoulder?"

Sean knew exactly what Michelle was getting at.

Edgar read the screen, "In the year 2005, Jones took a bullet on his right shoulder while breaking up a bank heist."

Sean and Michelle looked at one another while shouting in unison, "Jones was the burnt victim!"

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