AN: Wow, I just wanted to say that it felt so good to hear my readers enjoyed the last chapter. It was such a fun one to write as I do like to write action scenes and suspense. Those who were able to leave me a review - thank you so much - They meant a lot to me.

Tanith

Chapter 10

Waiting for the all clear from the bomb disposal unit at the end of Steve's street, Stone and Keller stood anxiously behind the line of emergency vehicles. It was almost impossible for either of them to tear their eyes away from the delicate operation taking place.

"Can't say they're not thorough," Steve commented dryly.

Mike was too wired up to respond. His gaze was zoned in on the scene in front of him. Even though they were standing too far away for them to be able to make out exactly what was happening, somehow just the simple fact of being able to keep an eye on the scene gave them a small sense of control.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the call came through over the radio that the situation was brought under control and the area was declared safe. The lock-down was lifted and residents were able to return to their homes.

A collective sigh of relief could be heard all around as the emergency crew slowly departed leaving the forensics experts to comb over the scene for clues to identify the perpetrator behind the threat.

Steve ran his fingers through his hair and made his way over to his house with Mike by his side.

"Wanna fill me in on what went down last night?" Mike broke the silence between them.

"I got home, noticed the door was a jar so I drew out my piece, tried to turn on the lights but someone had cut the power. I walked in, saw movement ahead of me then someone jumped me from behind. We fought. He had a balaclava on, was about your height, well built and fast. Hit me like a sledgehammer," Steve recounted.

"Was he armed?"

"Oh yeah! Had a switch blade. I managed to knock it out of his hand before things could get ugly," the younger man continued.

"Then what happened?" Mike prodded.

"Well, he got the better of me, I guess," Steve sighed.

"You said he got away in a black Dodge?"

Steve nodded. "Pretty sure it was."

"Which means his accomplice was inside the house with him until you walked in then he or she took off, brought the car around so they could both get away. Are you with me, so far?" Mike hypothesized.

"I'd say that was exactly what happened," Steve confirmed.

"You didn't lose your gun, did you?" Mike asked worriedly.

Steve shook his head. "Found it under the coffee table."

"What about that knife? Where is it?"

"Bastard left it behind. It's with forensics but I doubt they'll find anything on it. The guy was wearing gloves."

"Well, it's start." Mike clapped a hand on Steve's shoulder reassuringly as they walked up to the Porsche which was still surrounded by the forensics team.

"It looks like a hoax but considering who we may be dealing with, it's better to be safe than sorry," Lessing announced from the driveway as he approached Mike and Steve. "The guys are suggesting they tow the car over to the garage and pull it apart just in case it's been tampered it."

Steve raised his head to the Heavens. "Jesus!" It was clear to everyone the Inspector was at the edge of his calm. He was not at all keen on the idea of being without his own car for who knows how long or the fact that it was going to be dismantled piece by piece but he knew that it had to be done. The risks were not worth taking when they were dealing with a real threat on both his life, Jeannie's and now even Mike's. "Alright, alright."

Just as Lessing gave the word to have the car towed, Bill Tanner rushed up to the trio. "Mike, Rudy wants to see you and Steve n his office."

Mike exchanged a look with Steve. "Come on. Let's go, buddy boy. I'll drive!"

Surprised at Mike's offer to take the wheel, Steve didn't object. wordlessly, he followed his partner back to the tan LTD.

With his bespectacled face buried in the morning paper, Walter Hayes perused through the pages, trying to find something in the columns about a missing girl. Just when he thought his search would prove fruitless, one particular headline caught his attention. It read, Search for Witnesses Continues in Double Homicide Case. His eyes scanned over the article and recognition hit him when a black and white photograph of the depot stared back at him.

...Authorities are pleading for anyone who may have any information which can assist them in their investigation to come forward. The body of the young woman was found outside a popular diner less than a mile from a bus depot where she was to meet with her father while a second body, that of a male in his twenties, was found in a nearby alley. Both murders are believed to be connected...

Walter couldn't help but wonder if their young guest may have seen something that night or if she had known the victims. While he didn't rule out the possibility that he could be wrong about the bus depot being the same one mentioned in the article to the one where he and his wife had found Michelle Stevens, he couldn't shake the feeling that it was one and the same. Just as he stood up to find Martha and tell her they should talk to the police about Michelle, the door bell rang. He stood up and placed the folded paper down on the table but by the sound of excited voices issuing from the hallway his wife had already beaten him to the front door.

"Sylvia, my dear! Come in, come in! Oh, it's so good to see you!" Martha's ecstatic greeting brought a smile to Walter's weary face. A visit from their niece always brought them great joy. He hurried to the front door and enveloped the beaming young woman in a warm embrace.

Martha had brought their guest downstairs to meet her niece. She quickly introduced them.

"How nice to meet you, Michelle," Sylvia greeted with false enthusiasm, eyeing her aunt and uncle's guest up and down. Her reaction remained unnoticed except by Martha and Walter's guest.

Jeannie felt a little uncomfortable by Sylvia's unwelcoming scrutiny but forced herself to ignore it and accounted it for the possibility that the girl didn't approve of her aunt and uncle bringing home strangers. She doesn't trust me because she's worried I might con them or something. Not wanting to be rude and also searching for a reason to excuse herself, Jeannie broke eye contact and offered to make everyone some tea. As she moved away from the happy family reunion, she could still feel Sylvia's eyes burning into her retreating back.