Andy shivered as she walked down the street. Despite her huge coat, hat, gloves and boots she just couldn't stay warm. Normally she would jog under such circumstances but today the trial started and she figured showing up sweating probably wouldn't make the best impression.
She shivered again and tried to ignore the sound of honking. Really why were people always honking?
Suddenly Andy whirled around and grinned.
Sam!
He pulled up beside her and rolled down a window.
"Jump in McNally."
Andy smiled and ran to the door he had opened for her.
It took all her willpower not to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him. Sam just sat there smiling at her.
Andy looked him up and down approvingly.
"That's shirts even better than the last one."
Sam nodded.
"Thanks."
Andy leaned forward.
"So Sam…where were you?"
Sam chuckled and eased his truck onto the road.
"Guy time with Boo Radley."
Andy sighed and stared at him with pleading eyes.
"McNally, overthinking this won't do you any good because I'm not telling you."
Andy socked him lightly in the arm.
Sam's eyebrows went up.
"You're aims a little off there McNally. We should probably try boxing again."
Andy giggled.
"You just want a reason to t…"
Andy's voice trailed off and she blushed.
Sam glanced at her.
He smiled slightly.
He loved when Andy was flustered.
Andy entered the courtroom with the other "rookies".
Gail looked around as they entered the courtroom.
"It's like revenge of the exes in here."
Andy moaned when she saw what Gail meant.
Marlo was here of course, and Luke since this was his case.
But for some reason…Jo and Monica were in the room too.
Andy looked back as she slid into a seat beside Chris and Dov.
Sam was by the rest of the D's-Nash included.
He winked casually when he saw her staring.
Andy smiled slightly and faced ahead.
She was glad she was only here for part of this case.
There was somewhat of a pre case before the actual case.
Kevin Ford and then the actual trial of Abe Ford.
Andy was pretty sure that other than Luke the only other officer involved in the Abe Ford case was Marlo Cruz. The Kevin Ford case was not open to the public-that much she grateful for-Frank had explained it was to determine why an innocent man lost it and the reason for the following chaos that issued at Divison 15.
Andy fidgeted in her chair and glanced around again. Luke was talking to Sam. He nodded quickly and shook hands with him
Andy was intrigued but turned back around as the judge entered. Andy hated sitting there. Monica, a Doctor and Holly from the Lab all gave official reports which puzzled Andy.
We all saw him get shot? What else is there?
She raised an eyebrow as she saw Monica casting glances in Sam's direction. Andy looked back quickly. A slight smirk was on his face as he stared back at her.
Andy whirled around again. No doubt about it, Sam knew she was feeling possessive. She wondered how everyone could just sit there so calmly waiting at the ridiculous amount of witnesses reporting exactly what had happened. Oliver and Gail gave reports on being shot at.
Andy wriggled again. Why didn't they just get Marlo up there and get it over with? They seemed determined to examine her last though.
Luke rubbed his temples and glanced at a sheet of paper. Andy felt a twinge of pity for him. Because this was not a typical case and the two brothers had virtually no relatives they had excluded official lawyers from the first part of the case while the police determined who was responsible and what had happened. Luke was representing 15 but they had chosen Jo to cross examine his evidence. And she was clearly delighting in it.
"Detective Swarek."
Andy looked up as Sam walked to the front. She saw Marlo flush and look down quickly as he walked past her. He was the image of professionalism as he swore to tell the truth. He glanced at Andy before fixing his eyes on the judge.
"Detective Swarek: Did you tell a junior officer to tamper with official evidence to willfully mislead this division?"
Andy stared at him.
"I did."
He said boldly.
"I ordered her to change the evidence to protect Officer Cruz and she followed the order. The blame is on me and I willingly accept the punishment this court requires."
Andy stared at Sam for a moment and then glanced at Luke. He wasn't going to even try to help Sam? And suddenly that handshake made sense. They had agreed…agreed to leave her out of it as much as possible.
Andy was on her feet before she knew what she was doing. Her heart was beating in her throat as the Judge stared at her.
"Officer McNally?"
Andy cleared her throat and tried not to sound as scared as she was.
"I believe I have information that would help this investigation."
She purposely chose to avoid Sam's gaze. She could feel it boring into her, willing her to be quiet.
The judge motioned for Luke and they spoke briefly.
Luke looked from Andy to Sam and back again.
Sam had asked him to direct this his way…they both knew he had a say in who the blame ended up on. Luke looked at Andy again.
"That's the least you can do for me."
Her words when they had broken up rang in his ears. He nodded to the judge. This was what Andy wanted.
She motioned for Sam to return to his seat before summoning Andy up. Andy brushed past Sam without looking at him. She stared ahead as she swore to tell the truth.
Jo stepped forward snarky grin in place.
"Officer McNally, did Detective Swarek order you to change the evidence to help Officer Cruz?"
Andy tilted her chin up and spoke as firmly as she could.
"No he did not. Detective Swarek requested me to do it but the choice was mine and mine alone."
Jo smirked at her.
"So why Officer McNally, did you fulfill that request?"
Andy raised an eyebrow at her.
"Because Detective, I love him."
Sam clenched his jaw and closed his eyes for a moment.
Nick looked down as his hands and stared at the floor.
Clearly Jo had not expected that.
She recovered quickly.
"Regardless a senior officer requested you to do something with the direct intention of misleading the division."
Andy looked her in the eye.
"Detective Swarek knew of Officer Cruz's condition for two weeks and kept it a secret. I knew about it for over four months and chose not to inform anyone. I am not a rookie cop; I knew what I was doing. I could not have foreseen that those actions would put a man's life in danger or nearly cost three officers their lives and put my entire division in jeopardy but the choice was mine and mine alone."
She swallowed and stared at Jo.
"I am prepared to face whatever charges are required for my actions."
The Judge nodded for Andy to return to her seat. On and on it droned and Andy began to feel sorry for Marlo-this was just the beginning for her. After several hours she was called up along with Sam, Marlo and Nick. Nick was released without punishment since it was his first offense and Luke steered the Judge to his viewpoint. Marlo looked like she was fighting tears when she was officially dishonorably removed from all police related work from this point on. Unlike Nick she couldn't leave…wherever blame lay she was one the one who they considered indirectly responsible for the death of Kevin Ford and the near deaths of Oliver, Chloe and Sam. Sam was given a thirty day probation period. He went back to his seat as Andy took a breath and waited for her punishment.
"Officer McNally, you are an excellent cop."
Andy just stared at the judge.
"You do however seem to have a lapse in judgment whenever Detective Swarek is involved. I believe you both received a suspension for unbecoming conduct several years ago."
Andy closed her eyes for a moment…she couldn't take it if she had to stay away from him again. She realized the Judge was still talking and opened her eyes.
The woman stared at her.
"Ninety days on desk duty McNally. No patrols, no undercover, no special assignments."
Andy nodded and turned.
"And Officer McNally?"
Andy looked back at her.
"I highly suggest you figure out your personal life during this time, if this happens again you will be finding a different career."
Andy nodded again and walked out the door. She breathed deeply as she reached the cold air. The sun was shining down now and Andy started walking. She stopped and bent over and gripped her calves with her hands. She was shaking.
All at once she was being spun around by the shoulders. Sam was staring at her.
"McNally, why did you do that? This job means more to you than anything."
Andy stared into his eyes and shook her head slowly.
"No…not anymore."
Sam cupped her face in his hands and stared at her for a long moment. Andy smiled as Sam leaned in and kissed her tenderly, it was the gentlest kiss he'd ever given her but somehow Andy knew…this one…he meant more than any other kiss. Finally he pulled back and wrapped her in his arms not caring how many people were passing by and staring. Andy grinned and nestled into his embrace.
Dov closed his locker and looked at it for a long moment. He clenched his jaw and headed outside. He stopped when he saw Oliver.
"Epstein, drinks on you tonight?"
Dov shrugged.
"Not tonight. Tomorrow maybe?"
Oliver stared at him for a long moment. He extended a hand. Dov stared at him.
Oliver smiled.
"Take care of yourself Epstein."
Dov nodded and shook his hand. He grabbed the doorknob.
"Dov!"
He looked at Oliver.
Oliver swallowed.
"Try and make it to the wedding?"
Dov nodded.
"I'll do my best."
Oliver smiled.
"And you will be gold Epstein."
Dov nodded again and went out the door. Crossing the parking lot he climbed into a black SUV which quickly pulled out of the parking lot. Onto his new life.
