Over The Edge
Chapter 11
Mike Stone walked confidently into Franklin Hospital at around ten to eight. His early morning check in call at the Hospital had been a positive one and he was anxious to see for himself the rapid improvement in his young partner. As he pushed open the door to Steve's room he was even more heartened to see Steve sitting up in bed devouring a plate of breakfast readily and without the green tinge of the previous day anywhere to be seen. Steve's reaction as he looked up from his breakfast and seen his early morning visitor was a tad worrying for Mike. A broad smile crossed his face quickly but then a slight embarrassment and awkwardness seemed to follow quickly in its wake.
"Well Buddy boy. You look good. Much better than yesterday anyway. You even have a healthy colour back in your cheeks. How are you feeling?"
"Hey Mike ... Yeah, yeah I feel good. I ah ... even managed a walk out to the bathroom. Not too shabby, huh?"
"A walk? Weren't you dizzy?"
"No ... No the dizziness is much better, once I don't move too fast. "
Mike walked closer to the bed and looked down at the almost finished plate of food.
"You're eating again too? No sickness?"
"No, no ... I feel much better. The head is still very sore but the Doc said it will be for a while. He's talking about letting me go home later today all going well."
"Oh that's great news Buddy Boy. Just great." Mike said as he sat down on the end of Steve's bed and patted his leg affectionately through the covers but he noticed that Steve didn't smile at the gesture but looked a little uncomfortable instead.
Looking across at the fedora on Steve's bedside locker, Mike smiled.
"I see you got my message yesterday. They ah ... wouldn't let me stay with you. They said you needed absolute rest after the ah ... procedure. I hope you've been taking good care of my lucky hat ..." he added with a gentle nudge of Steve's leg and a hearty chuckle, hoping the playfulness would get Steve to open up to him about what was going on in his head.
"Ah yeah, don't worry. It's fine. Ah ... thanks for leaving it. Listen Mike? I ah ... I'm sorry about yesterday morning ..."
Mike swallowed hard. The nurse had assured him that he wouldn't remember much of what had happened the previous morning and Mike had felt that that was for the best. Unsure of quite how much the young man remembered, Mike decided to play his cards close to his chest for now.
"Sorry? Well now what are you talking about Buddy boy?"
"We were fighting ... At least I think we were ... I'm not quite sure. To be honest it's all a bit fuzzy ..."
"No ... No, we weren't fighting. You're just a little confused and that's understandable. You were just sore and tired and a little irritable but we didn't fight."
Steve's brow knit in confusion and Mike could tell that he wasn't quite buying his story as he stammered a second time.
"But Mike ... I remember yelling at you and telling you to get out but ... I don't remember why? In fact I ... can't understand why I would ever say that? But I did ... DIDN'T I? I'm sorry Mike. I would never mean something like that ... I ... I need you to know that ..."
Mike could tell this conversation was taking its toll on the young man and he squeezed Steve's leg and spoke firmly and clearly.
"Of course I know that Buddy boy. I'm HERE, aren't I? Steve, you weren't well yesterday morning and as a result of that you weren't quite yourself, that's all. You and me are fine, alright? The same as we always are. You got that hotshot?"
A smile crossed Steve's previously worried face and he nodded agreeably.
"Ok ... That's all I wanted to hear."
"Good ... Now no more apologies, ok? It's good to see you on the mend. I have to admit you had me worried for a while yesterday. I can't quite believe how quickly you've bounced back but I'm glad ..."
A sudden cheerful, booming voice from the doorway drew both their attentions.
"Is this a private party or can anyone join in?"
Mike turned around to see Greg Doyle enter the room smiling. He walked towards the bed and addressed the patient.
"How are you feeling Steve? I believe you've been in the wars since I saw you last."
"Yeah ... yeah, you could say that alright but I'm doing much better now thanks."
"Hey Greg ... oh he's much improved today believe me. If you had seen him yesterday you'd have been checking his pulse!"Mike added playfully as both other men laughed.
"Well that's good to hear. I was just up with Ruby. She's a real character. She's doing good too thankfully so I guess my work here is done. You take it easy Steve and ah ... if you ever feel like a repeat performance Helicopter ride, I can arrange for you to go on a drill with me seeing as you didn't get to enjoy the full experience the last time."
"Thanks for the offer Greg but I think I'll pass ... That's not the kind of hanging around that I fully appreciate and I think I'm going to stick to terra firma from now on. The more firmer, the less terror."
Greg laughed and Mike joined in.
"Well if you're sure? ... Ok then, duty calls. I'll see you guys around."
"Yeah ... Hey ah ... thanks Greg ... for everything."
"You're welcome Steve ... I'm glad you're ok. Goodbye."
Both men waved goodbye and Mike then turned back to talk to Steve.
"He's a nice guy. It was good of him to drop in and see how you were."
"Yeah, yeah it was."
Mike then clapped his hands together and announced cheerfully.
"Ok so ... Eat up and I'll fill you in on the Parker case if you're feeling up to it?"
Steve brightened up considerably and picked up his fork again to stab the last piece of his bacon. Popping it into his mouth, he chewed and swallowed before asking tentatively.
"Have you found him?"
"Not quite yet ... but the net is tightening Buddy boy ... We have a few good leads to where he might be. Dan and Lee are following them up. With any luck we'll know where he is by this afternoon. I have to go back to Bryant Street for a while shortly and check up on things, fill Rudy in and that sort of thing but as soon as you get word about being discharged I'll pop back and get you home and in case you're wondering, that means De Haro Street and I don't want to hear any arguments on that score, alright? The Doc says you need careful watching for a few days and I'll do that a lot better from my place than yours, ok?"
Steve had thought about protesting but knew it was pointless so he resigned himself to his fate and nodded his head instead as he washed down the last mouthful of his breakfast with the last drop of his lukewarm tea and as Mike starting regaling Steve on various things he had missed out on in the last twenty four hours.
It was close to four o'clock when a much more frazzled looking Mike Stone approached the nurse's station on Steve's floor and spoke to the strange new day nurse.
"Excuse me Ma'am, I'm Mike Stone. I'm here to pick up Steve Keller. I'm sorry I'm so late. He called me two hours ago but I got caught up at work and couldn't get away until now. I hope he hasn't been climbing the walls waiting for me to get here, has he?"
The nurse smiled warmly at the agitated looking man in front of her and spoke reassuringly.
"I think he was a little concerned for a while that you'd forgotten about him but when I checked in on him just there a little while ago he had fallen back asleep so he's resting at least. Let's go see how he's doing shall we?"
"Yes, of course. I hope we haven't been holding up a bed that someone else has been waiting on."
"No, don't worry. Things are quiet today."
The nurse pushed open the door to Steve's room quietly and as Mike entered the room behind her, she smiled at him as they both saw Steve flaked out fast asleep on top of the bed. He was dressed ready to go home in the spare clothes Mike had brought him the previous day, a pair of denim jeans and a red shirt and his bag was packed and waiting on the visitor chair. The nurse spoke quietly to Mike as she turned then to leave.
"I'll leave you to wake him. It might be better coming from a familiar voice. The Doctor has left a list of instructions for his home care and we've made an appointment with Outpatient's for him to come in and have his wounds cleaned and dressed at regular intervals. I'll just go and make sure his discharge papers are ready to sign and bring a wheelchair to escort him out."
"Ok, Thanks very much. Don't worry. I'll make sure he takes thing easy and does what he's been told to."
As the nurse left and closed the door again behind her, Mike made his way slowly towards the bed. From Steve's sleeping position lying mostly on his stomach, he noticed that Steve's head wasn't as heavily bandaged as before. The dressing over the cut was still fairly thick but it was held on now by medical tape and just two narrow strips of bandage looped around his head diagonally. Mike grinned to himself as he heard the soft snores coming from his young partner. He hated to wake him but time wasn't on his side right now. He needed to wake Steve and get him back to De Haro Street as soon as possible as he really needed to be somewhere else very soon. Reaching over, he placed a gentle hand on Steve's shoulder and shook him carefully.
"Steve? ... STEVE? Wake up ..."
Steve's snores stopped with a snort and his eyes fluttered open as he seemed to struggle to get his bearings. He carefully turned around, his eyes closing briefly again as he did and he sighed heavily, rubbing his right hand over his face. This time as he opened his eyes he focused on Mike's face and then flustered accordingly.
"Oh ... Mike ... You're here. Sorry ... I ah ... must have fallen asleep waiting for you ..."
Mike chuckled.
"You think? ... Don't worry. It's not your fault. It's mine. I'm very late collecting you. Those Parker leads are panning out quicker than I thought they would and because of that I got caught up down at Bryant Street. You ready to go?"
Steve nodded and began to sit up gingerly with Mike's help and swung his legs over the side of the bed just as the day nurse came in wheeling a wheelchair. Mike heard Steve groan when he saw it and he chuckled again.
"Come on hotshot ... You know the rules. You get to ride and she gets to push. Now hop in. Your gateway to freedom awaits Buddy boy. I'll get your bag."
Minutes later after papers were signed, instructions given and the nurse had pushed him as far as the lobby, Steve had risen from the chair and was being followed very closely outside and down the steps towards the brown Ford Galaxy. He climbed into the passenger seat carefully with Mike holding his elbow protectively and then watched as Mike put his bag in on the back seat and raced around to climb in the driver's side. As Mike gunned the engine, the radio flared to life.
"Dispatch to Inspector 81. We have Bill Tanner on the line requesting a link up with you."
Mike looked across at Steve tentatively and then picked up the receiver and spoke into it somewhat reluctantly with his partner listening.
"Inspector 81 here. Patch him through. Over."
Bill Tanner's voice broke through the static.
"Mike? Looks like he's getting ready to leave. We really need to move soon. What do you want us to do?"
Mike quickly responded before the detective could give anymore information away.
"Bill, hold tight. I'm just getting Steve home and I'll be back with you as soon as I can. Keep the situation monitored and keep me posted."
"But Mike ... "
"Hold TIGHT Bill ... You hear me? I'll get there as soon as I can. No-one moves without me. Is that clear?"
"Yes Mike ... Loud and clear."
Mike replaced the receiver and Steve held the side of his seat a little tighter as Mike sped up considerably. Looking across at the concerned face of his older partner, Steve started to put two and two together.
"What was that all about? Have they found Parker? Is that who they're watching?"
Mike's face fell visibly at Steve's probing questions. He didn't want to have to lie to him but at the same time he didn't want Steve trying to get involved. With his current head wound it would be too dangerous so he tried to dismiss his concern casually instead.
"It's nothing you need to worry about right now, Buddy boy."
"Don't give me THAT ... It is Parker isn't it? Where is he? "
"STEVE ..."
"WHERE IS HE MIKE? Don't cut me out of this ..."
Mike looked across at Steve for a quick glimpse while driving and saw the determination on the young man's face. He knew how much catching this creep meant to his young partner and so he reluctantly told him the truth.
"Ok, ok ... He arrived back at the pool hall about an hour ago. I've got four cars over there waiting to move in on my signal. I just have to get you home first ... Ok?"
"The pool hall? Wait a minute, that's just two blocks away from here. Why don't you go straight there now? Bill said he's ready to take off. If you wait you could end up losing him again."
"Are you CRAZY? There's no way in hell you're going there with me Steve. Just forget it."
"Why not? "
"You know damn well why not? It's too dangerous that's WHY! Have you forgotten how rough that place is? They're not going to let us take one of their own so handy you know and you're under strict Doctor's instructions to avoid another blow to your head while it's healing. No WAY Steve. I'm sorry ..."
Steve scowled across at the older man's stubbornness and turned his head away to look out the passenger window in frustration and disgust at not being allowed to be there at the creep's arrest. Mike could see that Steve was taking his decision hard and felt bad for the young man. Before he had a chance to say anything else the radio came to life again and Bill Tanner's voice boomed urgently into the car.
"Mike? Come in Mike. There's movement inside. I think he's getting ready to move. I need further instructions Mike. I need them NOW. Over."
Mike looked rattled at that latest development and Steve turned back to plead with him.
"Mike PLEASE? We're gonna lose him. I'll stay out of any trouble ... Please Mike."
Mike seemed to slow the car a little as he struggled to decide what was for the best. He really wanted to get Steve home safe and resting first before he tackled Parker but it didn't look like he was going to be afforded that luxury. Knowing that he couldn't take a chance of losing him a second time he made his reluctant decision.
"Damn it ... Ok, hotshot. You had better hold on tight" he called out firmly as he threw the car into a swift U-turn and spun the wheels dramatically.
Steve grabbed for the door handle as Mike turned the car at speed and picked up the radio receiver.
"This is Inspector 81 to Dispatch. Please inform Tanner that I'm en route. Two minutes out."
Steve smiled to himself as they sped towards the Tenderloin and hopefully the successful arrest of Charlie Parker. Mike slowed down as they approached and Mike pulled in behind Haseejian's LTD which was just across the street from the pool hall. Turning to Steve, he wagged his finger in the young man's direction.
"Now you STAY in this car no matter what, do you hear me Buddy boy? You let US handle this or so help me ..."
Before he could add a threat of any kind to his sentence, Tanner appeared at this window and spoke urgently.
"Mike we need to move NOW. Are you coming in? Do you want me to give the signal? I have the warrant."
Mike let his sentence hang and stared at Steve, waiting for some response that meant he wouldn't have to worry about the younger man while trying to apprehend Parker.
"OK MIKE ... I hear ya ... Just go get him and ... be careful, will ya?"
Mike scowled at the younger man, not quite convinced that Steve wouldn't intervene at the first sign of trouble. He exited the car and grabbed the arm of a surprised looking Haseejian.
"Norm, get in that car and watch him like a hawk, will you please? Don't let him anywhere near trouble of ANY kind. Have you got that? Getting hit on the head again right now could cause untold damage so soon after the first one."
Norm frowned at not being allowed to enter the pool hall with the others but an order was an order and so he nodded and climbed awkwardly into the Galaxy's driver's seat as Mike and Tanner, Lessing, Healy and six other patrol car Officers crossed the street to make their entrance. Norm looked across at Steve and nodded politely.
"Hey Kiddo ... How are you feeling?"
"Ok Norm ... But I didn't need a babysitter ... No offense ..."
"None taken ... but I don't like this detail any more than you do. I was looking forward to a bit of action for a change. "
Steve was watching anxiously as he saw them enter the pool hall, his right hand pulling at his top lip nervously.
"It's a rough spot ... I don't think he has enough men to take him ... Look just go over and help them will you? "
"Oh no ... Are you kidding me? If anything happens to you and I wasn't watching you, Mike's going to have my guts for garters. No thank you very much. We just have to watch and wait kiddo ... They'll be OK."
"Guts for garters? " Steve repeated, shaking his head and allowing himself a brief nervous chuckle at the strange saying. "Where DO you get some of your strange sayings from Norm?"
"My dear old Grandmother ... "
Just then the front window of the pool hall caved outward as a chair came flying through it and glass exploded out onto the street, followed by the unmistakable form of Lee Lessing being wrestled by two large muscled men. Steve couldn't bear the waiting a second longer as he saw his friend in trouble and his cop instincts kicked into overdrive.
"It's LEE! He's in trouble Norm ... He needs our help ..."
Before Norm could reach across and grab for his charge, Steve had bailed successfully from the passenger side and was weaving through the late afternoon traffic. Norm exited a little less gracefully and bailed after him, shouting as he followed, not weaving as easily through the traffic as Steve had made it seem.
"STEVE! Get back here ... Mike said NOT to let you over there ..."
He watched helplessly from the middle of the road as a taxi driver beeped his horn and narrowly avoided missing the bulky detective as Steve picked up the chair from the pavement and swung it at the back of the first larger man that was pummeling Lee while the other guy held him fast. It smashed and sent the first man sprawling to the ground clutching his back as Lee managed to free himself now that the fight was back to one on one. Seeing the first man start to rise, Steve went for his 38' only to remember that he didn't actually have it on him. The bulky man who was now severely annoyed at being hit with a chair headed straight for Steve towering over him in height as Steve suddenly began to regret his intervention. Knowing in his current condition that he was no match for the larger man, he raised his fists and prepared to protect the right side of his head from further impact if all else failed and winced as he saw the man swing his fist back to hit him. But before the punch could land, the man dropped to his knees as Haseejian appeared behind him having rained two fisted hands down on the back of the guy's neck. Steve sucked in a breath of relief and smiled at Haseejian as he watched the Armenian handcuff the fallen man.
"Thanks Norm ... That was a little too close ... " he mumbled just as he saw another guy head out the door and straight for Haseejian. "WATCH OUT ... Behind you."
Norm heeded Steve's well timed warning and met the guy's advance with a fist to the face which grounded the second guy just as easily as the first much to Steve's amazement and admiration. Norm smiled and nodded appreciatively at the younger detective.
"Thanks for the warning kid ..."
"No problem ... MAN your fists must be made of lead Norm ..." the younger man chuckled admiringly but failed to see the guy heading straight for the back of his head with a pool cue. Norm barged forward and picked up the younger man, shunting him to the side as the pool cue missed it's mark by mere inches. Dropping Steve back on his feet just as fast he turned and pointed his police Special as the man advanced a second time, stopping him in his tracks as he saw the weapon pointed at his midriff.
"Drop it or lose it Punk ... " Norm responded as he watched the man drop the pool cue to the ground and raise his hands above his head.
Steve steadied himself against the broken window frame as the sudden drop by Haseejian caused a temporary wave of dizziness and he shook his head gingerly to clear it. He couldn't see what was going on inside but he could hear Mike's voice clear as day barking instructions and taking control of the situation so he rested safe in the knowledge that the older man was at the very least ok and uninjured in the fracas. He turned to see Lee getting the upper hand and handcuffing the grounded man successfully but noticed that his colleague was nursing his side and figured that he had possibly broken ribs or bruised ones at best. Norm had his gun trained on the two assailants awaiting the arrival of more help but he spoke back over his shoulder in a worried sounding voice as he heard Steve's ragged breathing behind him.
"Hey Kid, you OK? Sorry about the sudden tackle but the alternative would have been much worse. "
"No ... No I'm ok Norm ... Thanks for the heads up ..."he added with a mischievous chuckle to disguise the fact that indeed had Norm not taken the action he did, he could have been heading straight back to Franklin in a whole lot of trouble right about now.
Despite the added levity, Steve's voice sounded strained and yet Norm didn't dare take his eyes off the two in front of him to look back and visibly assess his young colleague. Speaking a little more uneasily he questioned him more.
"You sure about that kiddo? You don't sound too hot?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm ok ... You just dropped me a little fast, that's all ..."
Norm was worried. Mike was going to be mad as hell when he found Steve in the middle of the action and as he was the one who was supposed to be keeping his Buddy Boy out of trouble, Norm knew that the buck would stop with him. The sound of sirens burst through the air interrupting his thoughts as a Police van and two other patrol cars sped around the corner and stopped beside them at the kerb and he barked instructions at the exiting officers.
"Get this garbage off the sidewalk and book 'em. Interfering with a police investigation and assaulting a police officer. "
As soon as the men were cuffed and escorted to the back of the Police van, Norm holstered his weapon and spun around to check on Steve. The young detective was leaning against the window frame, his right hand holding his head on that side and he looked a little dazed. He was also as white as a ghost but then he had been every bit as pale before the latest altercation so he took some comfort in that. Racing forwards, he grabbed Steve's shoulder and spoke anxiously.
"Look at me kid. You know you don't look so good."
Steve blinked several times and then pushed himself upright away from the building to prove that he was more alright than he was. The truth was that his head was starting to pound again but he forced a smile and reassured his worried looking colleague.
"Relax Norm. I'm fine ... We made a pretty good team, didn't we?"
Norm chuckled.
"Yeah ... yeah I guess we did ... but let's get you back to the car before Mike finds out, ok?"
Steve nodded agreeably just as the booming voice of Mike Stone came from the entrance doorway and the fedora clad Lieutenant appeared behind them.
"Well I'd say it's a little late for that, wouldn't you, Haseejian?"
Norm swallowed hard as he saw the Stone glare directed first at Steve and then purposefully at him. Mike's voice was loud but calm and that was never a good sign as Norm and the others knew to their cost many times before. It meant an explosion wasn't far off and even as he thought it, the booming voice grew louder.
"What the HELL were you thinking Norm? Didn't I tell you to keep him OUT of trouble? I mean what part of keep him AWAY did you find so hard to understand, HUH?"
"Mike, listen I TRIED but you work with the guy. You know how impulsive and impetuous he is! What did you want me to do? Handcuff him to me?"
Steve stared at Norm in disgust at his appraisal of him but looked away just as quickly as Mike's eyes turned to meet his and he saw the anger burning in their blue depths at his reckless actions.
"Well right now THAT idea seems pretty good. Maybe you SHOULD have."
Steve felt sorry for Norm and spoke out bravely in the middle of Mike's dressing down.
"Hey Mike, don't blame Norm. It was MY fault. I'm the one who came over. He tried to stop me but ... "
"WHAT? You think I don't know THAT? Why do you think I didn't want you to tag along in the first place, HUH? Because I KNEW you wouldn't be able to resist getting involved for personal reasons."
Now WAIT JUST A MINUTE! That had NOTHING to do with it. The only reason I came over here at all was because Lee was in trouble and needed help ..." Steve barked defensively.
Mike stood and stared at his fired up young partner and his glare momentarily softened as he processed Steve's words. Glancing back at Norm, he saw his Armenian Sergeant nod his head to back up Steve's story. Then he looked around at Lee who was still nursing his left side protectively and saw the young detective fluster accordingly.
"He's telling the truth Mike. I WAS in trouble ... Sorry Mike ... They got the drop on me."
"How badly are you hurt?"
"I'm not sure but ... I think I might have a busted rib or two ..."
Mike frowned just as Dan Healy came out the door behind him. Turning to face Healy, Mike gave out more instructions.
"Dan, take Lessing over to Franklin and get him checked out, will you? And keep me posted. Take it easy Lee ... We'll get you sorted out. "
Healy escorted Lessing off to their car just as Mike rounded on Norm and Steve again.
"I'll talk to YOU TWO more about this later. For now get him back to the car Norm."
"Ok Mike ... Come on Steve. Let's do what he says."
Steve frowned as Mike talked about him as if he wasn't even there. Before they could move Tanner and another uniformed cop struggled with Charlie Parker out the front door as Mike stood aside to let them pass. Even though his hands were handcuffed behind his back, he was still struggling and making it as difficult as possible for them to get him outside. He spat abuse at everyone around him.
"Dirty filthy PIGS! The lot of you ... I'll sue the whole Department. This is wrongful arrest ... Let go of me you scum ..."
"Move it Parker ..." Mike barked menacingly.
"Oh look at here ... If it isn't the Daddy Pig of them all ... What's the matter Stone? Got nothing better to do with your time than to harass innocent civilians. I ain't done nothing ..."
"Hold up a minute ..." Mike requested calmly of Tanner and Wright.
"See that's where we disagree Parker. We have you bang to rights. You see you made a rookie mistake. You forgot to wipe the bottom of your coffee cup. Probably because you were in a hurry ... Now we have your prints matched to the crime scene. "
"Oh I'm really scared now Stone ... " Parker scoffed and laughed maniacally. "You know last time I checked it wasn't a crime to drink coffee ... You have NOTHING ... I want my lawyer ..."
"Oh you're going to need him this time alright ... You said you never knew her but you were in her apartment ..."
"I drink coffee in a lot of strange women's apartments ... It's my sex appeal ... They can't resist ... Half the time I don't even know their names ... Hardly my fault now is it Stone? ... But then I can hardly expect YOU to understand that, now can I? "
All those present could see Mike's jaw twitch in anger but in true Stone style he bit back his anger and remained professional.
"Don't be too confident Parker ... You've slipped up once ... Maybe you slipped up more than once ..."
Parker laughed again and Steve saw red. Stepping forward he pressed a finger into Parker's chest and spat out angrily.
"You're sick you know that? You're going to pay for what you did to her ..."
"Ah the naivety of a young piglet ... Whoa ... What happened to you? Looks like you already asked the wrong person the wrong questions and got more than you bargained for PIG ..." Parker answered, laughing maniacally as he again struggled against his restraints.
Ignoring Parker's callous remarks, Steve continued.
"We're going to prove you did it Parker ... You're never going to hurt another girl like that again ..."
Another laugh erupted from Parker followed by an evil sneer in Steve's direction.
"You've got NOTHING on me ... You're all talk, no action ... You can't prove anything except that I like coffee ..." Parker scoffed right into Steve's face.
Mike could see Steve getting steamed up and so he quickly intervened. Pulling Steve back by the elbow he gestured at Tanner and Wright.
"Ok boys, get him out of here ..."
Before they could push him forward, Parker spoke back at Steve, noting that he was getting under the young Inspector's skin and loving every minute of it.
"You know you don't look too good Keller ... Maybe you should go and lie down in the sty for a while ..."
Steve's anger got the better of him and he went to go after him but both Norm and Mike pulled him back and Mike shouted at him.
"COOL IT STEVE! ... He's not worth it ... Let it go ... He's only baiting you to do something that he can complain about ... We do this BY the book. It's the only way .. You HEAR ME?"
Steve wrestled his arms from their grip and breathed heavily as he answered.
"YES ..." he shouted back and then seeing Mike's disgruntled look, he lowered his tone purposefully " I hear you, ok? ... I'm ... I'm gonna go wait in the car ..."
Before he could say anything else Mike watched Steve storm off towards the car and nodded his head purposefully at Norm to follow him. He supervised Parker being put into the back of the Patrol car, a task that proved difficult and it took four of them to finally get him in and under control. Finally happy that he was secure, Mike tapped the roof for Tanner to take the suspect off to Bryant Street and then turned and looked back towards his car as he watched Norm exit the vehicle and head towards him. Mike met him halfway and inquired anxiously.
"Is he ok?"
"I'm not sure ... He's not in a very verbal mood, you could say. "
"The silent treatment, huh?"
Norm chuckled.
"Yeah, looks like that ... or else he's just tired ... "
"I'll take him home and then when I get back to the Office, we'll interview him. See if we can get him to crack ..."
"I hope I'm wrong Mike but he doesn't strike me as the cracking type. Cracked maybe but cracking ... I just don't know Mike ..."
Mike's face fell and he nodded reluctantly.
"Yeah, yeah I know what you mean. Well if we can't get him to talk, let's hope the search warrants come through and we turn up something at the pool hall or his place. If he walks Norm this time, it's going to leave a very sour taste in my mouth for a long time to come. We need to nail this creep and get justice for that girl. Let's hope he's not as sure of himself as he makes out. Listen, wrap up the scene here for me, will you? I'll get back down there as soon as I can."
"Sure Mike ... Oh? Does that mean you're leaving me in charge?" Norm asked hopefully with a wide grin.
"Yes, but don't you get too cocky either. The last thing I left you in charge of almost came to a sticky end" Mike remarked, pointing towards the sombre figure of Steve in the passenger seat of the car.
Norm flushed and stammered awkwardly.
"Touché ... Don't worry, you can count on me this time Mike ..."
"I HOPE so ... I'm counting on it ... See you later."