Thanks again for your generous reviews they really make my day.

"I'm not talking to you without my lawyer."

Grainger sighs:

"Look I don't think that you are guilty of the drugs charge. I am trying to get the prosecutor to drop the charges, but he is being difficult about it."

"I'm just suppose to believe you."

"It is suspicious that your prints were not found on the packet. In my enquiries I haven't been able to find any evidence of you back on the drugs scene. No one has seen you in years. Then there's the beating and now this. It all smells of someone having something against you and setting you up."

"Come back to me when the charges are dropped but I can tell you that I have no idea what this is about, or who is behind it. Don't be offended but it isn't in my best interests to talk to you while I'm still a suspect."

"Only if you have something to hide Fallin"

Nick stares at him:

"That's not the way to win my co-operation. Are we done here because it has been a very long day."

Grainger sits back in his chair and holds up his hands in surrender:

"Okay I'll see what I can do and you look after yourself Fallin."

.

Nick looks at his watch and calls a cab when he sees how late it is. He then calls his dad to let him know what he has done and what Grainger said.

"That sounds promising"

"That's if he is telling me the truth. He could have been trying to trick me in to talking to him."

"Possible, you should call Belden and have him check it out."

"I will in the morning."

"Whoever is behind this is dangerous Son, call me when you get home so I know you made it safely."

"I will Dad."

Nick hangs up the phone feeling like he is twelve again.

The next morning Nick's first call is to Belden.

"I will call Grainger and the prosecutor's office and find out what's happening and let you know."

"I'm in court all morning but then in the office in the afternoon."

"Right talk to you then."

Nick hangs up and grabs his keys of the rental car that his insurers had arranged to be dropped off last night. He finds himself on high alert as he heads to his car but sees nothing suspicious.

Nick arrives at lsp in the afternoon to find Belden waiting for him. He leads him in to his interim office.

"Good news Nick, the charges are dropped."

Nick collapse's in his chair as relief swamps him, he brushes the back of his hair with his hand.

"I'm not a suspect anymore?"

"No they now consider you a victim."

"Can we trust them?"

"I think so but it probably won't hurt to have me with you when they question you, just to be on the safe side. I'm really pleased for you Nick."

Nick has a smile on his face.

"Thanks Dave. I really appreciate it."

They shake hands and as Belden leaves Nick takes out his phone and calls his dad with the news.

Nick closes the last of his files and finds himself alone in the office, everyone having gone home long ago. He is putting his homework into his briefcase when his phone rings, from the display he sees that it is Lulu. She had been his second call. He told her about the attack on his car and about the charges being dropped. She had seemed distracted and wouldn't talk about arrangements for Anne. Nick is a little irritated but answers in the hope that maybe she is more ameniable.

"Nick, can you come over now."

"Is something wrong Lulu?"

"I-I-I-I need to talk to you."

"Okay I'm just leaving lsp and should be there in about forty five minutes."

Lulu opens the door to Nick's knock and invites him in. Nick can see that she's distressed. She leads him in to the living room and sits down. Nick looks over at her and note that she is literally wringing her hands.

"What is it Lulu?"

She starts to speak avoiding looking at Nick.

"It wasn't Anne who gave the bruise the other night..."

Nick waits for her to continue.

"It was my boyfriend."

Nick's astonished.

"That detective hit you, why didn't you say Lulu, has he been around since?"

"I-I-I-I was scared, and I thought it was a mistake, but then he was here last night too and he was so angry, he frightened me."

"You let him in to the house?"

"I was too scared not too."

"What about Anne? You put her at risk."

"He wouldn't touch Anne, he loves her, and it's me he's angry with."

Nick jumps off the couch and heads to Anne's room to reassure himself that she's okay. He also takes the time to calm down. He can't believe that Lulu endangered their daughter and yet he has come across enough battered women cases to know it's not that simple. What is most important is to make sure that Anne is safe.

He goes back to Lulu, who hasn't moved and has tears falling down her face. Nick softens his tone.

"Why is he angry with you Lulu?"

"Because of you."

Nick's astonished once more.

"Me? I don't know the man, I only met him the other day and said two sentences to him."

"He was angry that I had allowed you in the house and near Anne. He said that you were a drug addict and couldn't be trusted."

"You can't let him in to the house again Lulu. You dead bolt the door and don't open it when he comes. You call the police. We should call them now."

"No no Nick, who is going to believe me. You know how closed they can be."

"That's in the movies Lulu."

"I'll call them if he comes back."

"Have you told him you don't want to see him anymore."

"Yes. I sent him a text."

"You think a text is going to work Lulu?"

Nick's exasperation is becoming evident.

"Maybe I should stay here tonight in the spare room."

"Would you Nick?"

"I'll just pick up somethings from home and be right back. Lock the door behind me."

"Sure Nick. Thanks."

Nick grabs his overnight case from the car and runs up the path. He knocks on the door and shouts Lulu's name. He hears the bolt being pulled back and the door opens. Suddenly he feels a push from behind, knocking him in to Lulu, they hit the floor. He rolls off her on to his back and finds himself staring in to the barrel of a gun.