Chapter 10:

Sharon's eyes widened in fear. "How badly injured are they?" she asked quietly.

"Agent Howard has a few bruises, since he scared off the attackers and they only punched him once or twice to get away," Martin said quickly, before Provenza can interrupt him again.

"Flynn," Provenza said, emphasizing the name and sending Martin a piercing look, "also has some bruises, and quite a few stitches."

Sharon drew in a sharp breath of concern but let it out fast enough, regaining her posture. "Um… can I see him? Them?" she added the last word quickly.

"Flynn's in this room," Provenza pointed at the door behind her, "and Fritz is in the one next to it," his finger moved to indicate a door down the hall.

Sharon nodded, thanking him, and walked to the nearest room. She opened the door and entered quietly, closing it behind her. Flynn was lying on the hospital bed with his eyes shut. He had a black eye and a nasty cut on the corner of his mouth. Sharon walked to his bed and looked at him for a few seconds before he opened his eyes.

"I stood you up," he said and tried to chuckled, but it hurt. "Ouch."

Sharon looked at the door to make sure it was still close. She turned back to Flynn and put her hand on his head, caressing it slightly.

"Why do you look so sad?" he asked wearily.

"Did you recognize the attackers or have any idea who might want to hurt you?" she ignored his question. She knew what he was about to answer, but she asked anyway.

"No… and not really. I mean, a few years ago, Rick Zuman sent someone to kill me, but I don't think it's him again," he adjusted his body on the bed and his face twitched in pain.

"I remember," Sharon said slowly. "I'll look into it, but I don't think it's him either."

"Who do you think it is?" Flynn asked, surprised. He wasn't sure what she meant.

"I… don't know," she stuttered. "I mean, Chief Johnson didn't leave any loopholes in his case."

"Oh, yeah…" he said quietly. They looked at each other in silence for a moment.

"Okay, you get some rest," she said and looked at the door again. Seeing that it was still closed, she bent down and kissed him gently on the cheek, close to this mouth.

(***)

As soon as Sharon reached the hospital parking floor, she called the number of the disposable cell that has been calling her all week. She tried twice while walking to her car, but nobody answered. Eventually, she decided to text that number the words 'I know it's you. Answer', and waited a few minutes before calling again. "Sharon," Richard answered finally. "Did you do one of your police magic tricks to connect that number to me?"

"Oh, no… no, I just know you too well," she said, trying to keep her cool. Her car was visible now a few feet away from her. "I need to speak with you."

"We can meet tomorrow," he sounded bored with the conversation.

"NOW," Sharon said firmly.

"Wow, who are you?" he chuckled, "where's my sweet Sharon?"

"She died twenty years ago. Now, do I need to get a warrant, or will you meet me?"

An hour later, Richard was sitting in Sharon's living room, on the couch. Sharon was sitting in the armchair, looking stern.

"You know, I came because I wanted to, not because of your warrant threats. I'm a lawyer, remember?" he said, Sharon stared at him. He was so full of himself.

"Why are you in LA?" she asked coldly.

"I'm working on a case for my firm's LA branch," he said and she nodded. "Does the name Lionel Hernandez ring a bell?" Sharon frowned, trying to remember. She knew that name, but couldn't remember from where. Richard waited for her to think for a while, and then said, "you arrested him for murder not long ago. But the DA's going to drop the case for lack of evidence."

"Oh, really? How can you be so sure?" Sharon asked, still trying to remember who he was talking about.

"I believe your only witness was murdered, also, not too long ago," Richard watched Sharon as realization appeared on her face. He smiled and leaned backwards.

"You're involved in that child abduction case?" Sharon was completely shocked.

"I don't know anything about a child abduction case," he said calmly.

"What does Lieutenant Flynn have to do with any of that?" Sharon asked suddenly. She could see on his face that she took him by surprise. He got to his feet and looked down on her with an angry face, and Sharon suddenly remembered the time he hit her, twenty years ago.