Wondering

Chapter 11

Major Crime Unit boss Randall Hurley sat handcuffed in the lopsided chair reserved for suspects in the interrogation room He sat uncomfortably, yet he still managed to look arrogant. Across from him sat Sean and Michelle. Rigby allowed them 15 minutes alone with Hurley before the FBI takes him away. Not much time to find out what he knew about Rick Thunder.

"Okay, you've been on my side of the table many times, " Sean told Hurley," so you know how this game is played. Here's where things stand. We've got you. We've got your crew. We've got the evidence. This will be the easiest case the DA has ever prosecuted."

Hurley folded his arms, "Eat dirt, you SOB."

Michelle, who had been sitting next to Sean, kicked the leg of Hurley's chair. Hard. Surprising him.

"Show some respect or we'll kick it out of you!" Michelle demanded.

He shifted uncomfortably.

"If your case is so good," Hurley looked sullen, "what the hell do you even need me for?"

Michelle leaned in, "We know you're guilty; it's just a matter of saving the taxpayers some money."

"Yeah," added Sean, "And you could really cooperate by telling us what happened to Rick Thunder."

He had no reaction, "Rick who?"

"...the guy who was blackmailing you," Sean told him. "The guy who said if anything happened to him, his files would be mailed to someone who will find out about you and that someone turned out to be me. That's right, he wasn't bluffing. We know he had been blackmailing you and I have everything I need to convict you. We've got photos, phone tap records and the stolen goods he won in your little auctions."

Hurley shrugged, "Okay, so you know I paid him, We gave him ten percent off the top to keep him quiet, but that don't mean I killed him."

"We didn't say you did," Michelle told him, "but you might have had someone else to do it. Just give us that name."

"I didn't have anything to do with what happened to him, so there's nothing to say," Hurley stated stubbornly.

Then let me give YOU a name," Sean stated as he pulled out a picture of Jones's charred corpse from his file and slid it across the table to Hurley, "Meet one of your men, Samuel Jones. Not so handsome anymore, is he?"

Hurley's eyes widened as he viewed the picture, and then looked up at Sean, his arrogance gone, "T-this is...Sammy? W-what happened to him?"

"Your buddy torched Thunder's office awhile back and managed to torch himself in the process," Sean told him.

"H-how..." Hurley took a hard swallow, "how do you know this burnt mess...was Sammy?"

"The coroner confirmed it," Michelle explained, "The evidence of a bullet in the shoulder of the burnt corpse helped to establish it was him."

By this time, Hurley had recovered and he once more put on a smug face. He pushed the picture back, "So?"

"Jones was part of your crew," Sean accused him, "You ordered him to kill Thunder and destroy his files."

"You can't prove ANY of that," Hurley stated, but he nervously began shaking one leg.

"You've admitted that Hunter was blackmailing you and the crew," Sean pointed out, "You were Jones's commanding officer in the MCU. Thunders's office was burned down and Jones's body was found in the rubble. Come on Hurley, you don't think the jury can put together the pieces of the puzzle? They will and when they're finished, it'll end up being a picture of an electric chair...with you strapped in it."

They could see sweat glistening on Hurley's forehead.

"Look, " Hurley claimed, "it was Sammy who didn't want to give up his percentage; I was willing to pay off Thunder because I just figured it was the price of doing business. Sammy wanting to kill Thunder was of his own doing. He acted alone. You can't connect me to that murder."

"That's too bad you don't know any more about Thunder's disappearance," Sean said, "You're going to go to prison no matter what, but helping us might help your wife. Maybe she can get probation, you know, be there when you get out, ifyou get out. It all depends upon on how much you cooperate."

"Leave my wife outta this!" Hurley threatened.

Michelle leaned in to make her point, "Believe me, Hurley, if you leave her to rot in jail, she won't be the same person when she gets out."

He was really sweating now.

"Tell us where Thunder's body is, Hurley," Sean said.

Hurley shook his head, looking distraught, "I told you, I DON'T KNOW...but I'll testify to whatever you want against Sammy; I'll say I know he was the one who killed Thunder and you can close your case, then."

Sean looked disinterested, "You think committing perjury on the stand will get your wife probation?"

"Please, PLEASE, my wife is innocent!" Hurley claimed, sounding desperate, "You've got me and I'll help you get a killer for Thunder's murder. It's a win-win for you two!"

It was more than likely he really didn't know about Rick's whereabouts. Hurley had nothing else to give them.

"Good-bye, Hurley," Michelle told him, as she and Sean stood up to leave.

They passed Rigby on the way out, who was going to interrogate Hurley further about the robberies, something Sean and Michelle were not involved in. This case turned out to be a dead end when it came to finding Rick.

So as far as Sean and Michelle were concerned, Case Number two was closed.

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Sean and Michelle were enjoying a quick coffee at Lucy's Cafe before they departed for the day. They sat at their usual spot at the counter.

"So, Sean," Michelle was saying, "Any chance that Hurley is lying? That maybe he did ordered the hit on PI Rick, but he's letting a dead man take the fall?"

Sean shrugged, "We'll never know since the would-be killer was burnt to a crisp."

"But if Hurley did order the hit, then he's getting away with murder!" she pointed out.

"He's doing time, no matter what, Michelle. Nobody is getting away with anything. You know what it's like for a cop to go to prison?"

"You're right," she sighed, "that's punishment enough, I guess. Still, Hurley is in for a conspiracy and robbery charge, not murder. His wife will probably be set free soon and he could be out on probation in two years. So the way I see it, he won the contest in a way."

Sean took a sip of his coffee, and then he turned to face her, "There it is again. What is it with you and everything being a contest? You really are competitive, Michelle."

"I am NOT!" she insisted, "...I'm not competitive...I just like to win, is all..."

Sean grinned, "Do you hear yourself, Michelle? In your way of looking at things, coming in second means you're the first loser..."

"Precisely!" she exclaimed, "So what's your point?"

A wry, affectionate smile tugged at his lips as Michelle took another sip of her coffee.

The bantering was all in fun, but the reality of it was that he knew her toowell. He really was her best friend, but unfortunately she was physically attracted to him, as well. That little dance at the bar and grill proved that. Damn! She had to make sure things didn't go any further.

She took her final sip, " I better go now..." she stated suddenly, getting off her stool. She started to reach into her pockets for some money.

Sean was really enjoying their little interaction and felt disappointment at the news that she wanted to leave. But he couldn't exactly stop her.

"Don't worry about it...I've got the bill," he insisted.

She couldn't even look at him, for if she did, she might want to stay a little longer.

"Okay, thanks, Sean...see you at work tomorrow," she gave a small smile as she turned away from him, not wanting him to see the desperate yearning in her eyes, as she headed for the door.

"Bye...Michelle," he said softly, forcing himself to stay put and not chase after her.

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It was the end of a day and Sean was back at the houseboat by himself.

Usually he didn't mind being by himself, but this evening, he felt the loneliness. He was once again leaning against the railings of his houseboat as the sun began to set. Sean tried to block off the image that the last time he stood here he had been attacked by with a stunned gun.

Instead, his gaze scanned the river, the misty breeze curling around his face and ears. He really loved his office location. Sunsets were beautiful everywhere, but to Sean, a sunset over the waters left a comforting imprint on his soul. With the sun's descent into the curve of the earth's horizon, the colors in the sky started shifting gradually from yellows to various hues of orange.

As he continued watching the rushing waters, the image of Michelle rowing her scull off in the distance came into his imaginary visual. It gave him a calming sensation to watch her. He pictured the way the waters sparkled as the oars hit the water, splashing it gently as she moved her body in perfect sync with nature. He had always admired her passion in that sport, devoting her mind and body to finding the ideal rhythmic stroke. He liked watching the gentle glide of her scull as it sailed across...

"Sean?"

From behind him, he heard her voice. At first he thought it was the softly breeze blowing, but then he heard his name again, faintly stronger.

"Sean."

Sean straightened up from the railing. It had to be her. But why was she here? He slowly turned around. It was her. Michelle must have driven on the streets to get here, which is why he had not spotted her until now.

"Michelle?" he questioned, not quite believing she was standing there.

"Hey, hi," she smiled shyly and took one step forward.

Amid the silence that followed, she, too looked out on the waters. Lavender highlights from the sky glistened across the cool blue waters. A light breeze fanned across their faces as the air started to feel a little cool. She turned back to watch his face.

"You're probably wanting to know why I'm here," she stated.

She didn't know why she had actually come back. But sitting in solitude in her apartment, she felt empty and isolated. She had an urge to see Sean again in order to feel... well, to feel. He made her laugh, made her think and he understood her. With that thought fresh in her mind, she got up and put on her familiar blue peacoat jacket. If she could talk to him for even five minutes, it would've been worth the trip down here to see him.

So that's why she ended up at Sean's.

"It has crossed my mind to ask you why you are here," Sean responded.

Michelle held her head up, "I was...thinking of... you." she at first was going to think of an excuse, but thought honesty was the best.

"Oh?"

Sean looked stunned as their gazes intricately locked. He bravely took two steps forward until they were now directly in front of each other. A slightly stronger breeze suddenly picked up, gently blowing strands of Michelle's hair in her face. Sean was held spellbound and when his hand reached up to brush her wind-blown hair away from her face, he heard an audible gasp come from her.

"I've been...thinking about you, too, Michelle," Sean honestly declared, his voice thick, as he watched her with intent eyes.

Her eyes widened at the implication. Michelle was suddenly acutely aware of how dangerous the situation was becoming. Yet in her inner turmoil, pure desire stirred and she couldn't break away from the situation. She was well aware where this was headed and she couldn't stop the momentum.

"Sean...I know...we're colleagues..."

He took a deep breath.

"We are, Michelle," he said, his voice jagged.

"And though I hate to admit it," she said with a slight smile, "you are my friend. In fact, my best friend."

His face was so close to hers as they stood face to face. Sean's hand unexpectedly reached up and touched her cheek. The feel of her face, so feminine and warm, made his insides tighten into knots. Every instinct clamored for him to pull her closer.

He swallowed hard, "Just this once, Michelle...just this space of a moment, let's be more than friends..."

His implied words in addition to the gentle caress sent Michelle's pulse racing. And as Sean shifted slightly and pulled her in closer, she began to step away, yet secretly hoping he would stop her...

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(I forgot to personally thank Sunshineforever13! Thank you!)

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