Sorry this took so long, I rewrote it a few times and it ended up being a very long chapter. Hopefully it was worth the wait and is at least somewhat plausible.
Also the next (hopefully much shorter) chapters should definitely be up sooner :)
Chapter 20: Sam- Monday Evening
Sam stood motionless for a few minutes, just watching the door that Oliver had retreated through. Peter was here.
"Guess I should go meet him," He muttered but his feet refused to move, right now he really had no idea how he would react when he looked upon the face of the man who had hurt his nephew.
"Sam," He heard Andy's voice before briefly glancing in her direction. She looked worried. In all honesty he was worried too, but he really didn't have the time to convince her that he would act rationally. Peter was here in the station, here with his sister, with Matt…
"I'm fine," He told her before heading to the door; he needed to get to them as soon as possible. He didn't want this man around his nephew at all, "Just go and talk to Zack."
Trying to remove the impulsive thoughts from his mind Sam exited the room, but before he had even taken two steps along the corridor Andy was calling out his name again. Ignoring her attempts to stop him he carried on walking until he felt her hand on his arm, "Sam."
Clearly she was done with trying to talk to him as she tightened her grip on his arm and pushed him up against the wall. Sam was about to tell her to just do as he had asked but then he heard his name being called. Casting a quick look to his right he saw Frank before turning back to Andy and gritting his jaw, he really didn't have time for this right now. Thankfully Andy seemed to get the message as she let go of his arm before taking a few steps back.
"Everything ok?" Frank asked, clearly noticing the tension between them.
"Fine," He coughed, eyeing Andy and warning her not to do anything. This was for him to deal with, not her.
"McNally?" Frank asked as she stared at him before turning to face Frank.
"Fine Sir," She nodded, replacing the worried tone she had previously been using with a much more professional one.
"Ok then. Shaw just told me the good news so would you like to get your nephew out of my interview room. Believe it or not we do actually have other people who need to use it."
"Will do," Sam nodded, but he had no intention of doing it just yet. Not until he had had a chance to speak to Peter.
Letting his eyes take a quick sweep of the corridor he suddenly spotted Oliver entering the soft interview room. At that he felt heartbeat begin to return to its normal rhythm; with Oliver there Peter wouldn't dare hurt Matt, so he was safe…for now.
"Now Sam," Frank's order caused Sam to turn back just in time to see his boss opening the door. For a moment Sam found himself staring at it before nodding and stepping into the room. Oliver was with Matt, he had a few minutes to figure out what to do next before he needed to get his nephew away from Peter.
Letting out a shaky breath he found his eyes settling on Zack, the boy just looking up at him, waiting for him to speak. His nephew already knew he was in the clear; Oliver had interrupted them shortly after he had finished running a background check on Peter. As soon as Sam had wrapped his head around what Zack was telling him about Peter he had reassured his nephew that he would sort it out before finally deciding to run the background check he had been putting off for the last week. The one he had decided that he wouldn't need. Of course his judgement was perfect, the one person he had decided not to check out was the dangerous one.
Yet he hadn't found anything. Peter's record was completely spotless, and so he had decided to ask Zack some more questions before Oliver had walked in and told him that Nash had got the girl talking, that she was backing up Zack's story. As soon as he had seen Oliver off he had decided he needed to speak to Sarah, to find out what she knew about Peter, but when he had reached the room he had only found Andy and Matt.
"What's up?" Zack asked as Sam tried to think clearly, he wasn't even sure where to begin.
Running a hand over his face he cast a quick look to his right to find Andy waiting patiently by his side before motioning for Zack to get up, "Time to get you out of here."
Sam just watched as Zack looked between him and Andy, probably wondering what she was doing here, before complying with his silent request and standing up.
"So what happens now?" Zack asked quietly as Sam placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We're uh…" But he stopped himself. He wished he had a better answer, but the truth of the matter was he was just moving from one problem to another, "We're gonna go figure this thing out."
Zack just nodded as Sam guided him towards the door, but before he had a chance to open it he stopped himself, turning back to face his nephew. Zack had a right to know, "Look, uh…Peter's here…"
"What? No, no, why the hell is he here? You can't…you can't…" Zack yelled as Sam placed a hand on either side of his face, forcing Zack to look at him.
"Zack just…" But he didn't finish as Sam saw the tears in his nephew's eyes. There was no way he was making this up; the fear etched on his face, the terror in his eyes…it was all real. Instead of speaking again Sam pulled his nephew into his arms, just as Andy had done to him in the observation room. He hadn't wanted her to and he wouldn't admit it, but it had actually made him feel better, "It's going to be ok."
Zack didn't speak for a moment. Sam could feel him shaking his head, trying to pull away, but he kept a firm grip on his nephew until he finally gave in and stopped struggling.
"It's not going to be ok," Zack muttered as Sam cast a quick glance in Andy's direction, noticing the sympathetic expression on her face, before pulling his nephew back and looking him in the eye.
"It is," He told him, bending his knees a little so he was at eye level before using his hand to brush Zack's overgrown fringe out of his face, "We'll get through this together ok?" But Zack just shrugged before rubbing his eyes with his sleeve.
"You can't leave him alone with Matt," He sniffed, still wiping his eyes as Sam nodded, he didn't intend to but at least for now he knew Matt was safe.
"He's ok, he's with your mom and Oliver," He hoped it would ease Zack's mind more than it had his own, but it was true. If Oliver was with Matt then he would be safe. So for now Sam could make sure Zack was ok before dealing with Matt.
"Ok," Zack nodded as Sam tried to work out what to do next. Frank wanted them out of the room but he didn't exactly have anywhere else to put his nephew. He couldn't take him to see Peter and he couldn't leave him here. Maybe he could leave him in the locker room but he really didn't want to leave him alone. Taking a quick sweep of the room he noticed Andy hovering by the door, clearly not wanting to interrupt him and his nephew. He still wanted Andy to talk to Zack, still wanted to hear what she thought, even if he was certain that his nephew was telling the truth. Maybe she could just take him somewhere out of the way.
"McNally…"
"Jerry's taken over interview two, sure Zack could sit with him while we talk to Peter," She suggested as he looked over to her, a strained expression crossing his face. He knew she didn't want to let him meet Peter alone but there was no way he could stick Zack in with Jerry. Jerry was working a case and he knew Frank wasn't thrilled with the number of people that were already caught up in this mess.
"We…"
"Just for a few minutes while we get Matt away from Peter, and then I'll take him somewhere else," She explained as he sighed, leaning his head back. Jerry was going to kill him.
"Fine, fine," He muttered, turning back to Zack and placing his hands on his shoulders, "Let's go."
Andy just nodded as she opened the door for them. Sam still wasn't sure Jerry would go for babysitting but he really didn't have any better ideas at the moment, he just hoped Andy was right. Keeping his hands on his nephew's shoulders he guided him along the corridor until they were outside interview two, but before Sam had a chance to do anything Andy was already opening the door and stepping through. Immediately Jerry looked up from the desk, a puzzled expression on his face as he took in the three of them, "Uh…hey."
"Need a favour," Sam said, indicating to Zack as Jerry's eyes darted between the three of them.
"Wha…really Sam…I'm kinda in the middle of something here," He said, gesturing to the photos and reports on the desk in front of him.
"Ten minutes max, you won't even know he's here."
"I…this isn't exactly a suitable location," Jerry nodded at the photo of the man he was investigating but before Sam had a chance to speak Zack opened his mouth.
"Dude I've seen all the Saw movies. That is not scary," Zack told him, pointing to the pictures on the desk as Jerry looked to Zack before looking back to Sam and raising his eyebrows. Sam just shrugged his response. Right now that was the least of his worries.
"Sam…"
"Ten minutes," Sam was sure the begging tone wouldn't go unnoticed by Jerry.
"You did say if you could help…" Andy started as Jerry sighed.
"Fine, ok, just grab a seat and keep quiet," Jerry told them as he waved a hand at Zack.
"Ok," Zack nodded as he walked further into the room, "You know you kinda look like one of the guys from the second movie."
"Really? That's great, thank you Sammy," Jerry called out as Sam retreated out of the room, following after Andy. He would make it up to Jerry another time, right now he just needed to get Matt away from Peter.
Closing the door behind him he turned to find Andy waiting a few steps in front of him, "You ok?"
"I've had better days," He muttered as he made to walk past her but she grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
"Sam…" She started but he cut her off, he really didn't have time to deal with this.
"McNally I'm fine. I just need to deal with this… new situation," He said waving his free hand around in some attempt at an explanation.
"Ok just…" She was giving him that look again. The one she had had earlier, before she hugged him.
"I know," He snapped. He got that she wanted to help, that she wanted him to talk to her, to tell her how he was feeling…he just didn't have time for that. Taking a deep breath, he dropped his head slightly before speaking again; he knew he may be coming across as a little harsh right now, "I know. Ok Andy, I know, but I really need to do this my way right now," He tried to keep his voice softer this time, hoping that she would understand what he was saying.
For a few moments she just watched him before releasing his arm, "Let's go meet Peter then."
Nodding his head Sam started walking towards the soft interview room, Andy by his side, but when they reached the door Andy quickly placed herself ahead of him. He guessed she wanted to stop him leaping in and throttling the man. Rolling his eyes at her less than subtle attempts he followed her into the room, stopping in the doorway by the sight that greeted his eyes. Matt was knelt down on the floor with a man, who he presumed was Peter, while Oliver and Sarah looked over them.
"Hey, Oliver was just telling us the good news," Sarah said, she appeared to be the first one to notice them.
"Uh yeah," He nodded, shutting the door behind him but keeping his eyes fixed on Peter. He looked a little older than Sarah, mid-forties probably which explained the grey streaks in his dark hair. He was slim too, similar to Epstein's build.
"You could sound a little happier Sam," Sarah told him as his eyes took in Peter's suit. It looked expensive; he guessed he had come straight from work.
"Sorry," He muttered, quickly glancing in her direction, "Long day."
He hoped it would suffice as an explanation as he tried to work out the best course of action, but before he could put too much thought into it he heard Matt's voice, "Hey Uncle Sam look what Peter brought me."
Immediately Sam refocused his gaze back to Peter and Matt, watching as the man finally turned his head to face him. Sam was sure he felt his whole body tense as his eyes locked with Peter's pale green ones. This man had hurt his nephew.
"Hi, really good to finally meet you," Peter said as he pushed himself off the floor before walking over to him with an outstretched hand, "I've heard a lot about you."
"Yeah," Sam muttered as he grabbed Peter's hand and shook it, a little tighter than he needed to. The man was slightly taller than he was, maybe an inch or so, but that didn't seem to stop the unofficial staring match they were having.
"Obviously would have preferred to do this under different circumstances."
"Oh that's something we can agree on," He told him, forcing a smile on his face but still refusing to let go of his hand or break his gaze away.
After a few moments Peter blinked his eyes before looking down, "That's uh, quite a grip you have there."
Sam just shrugged as he finally let go of Peter's hand before hearing his nephew's voice, "Uncle Sam look," But he didn't have a chance as he felt something crash into his leg. Breaking his eye's away from Peter's he looked down to find the remote control car reversing over his boot before moving his eyes up to find Matt with the controller in his hands, grinning at him, "Sorry."
"It's ok buddy. Uh hey Ollie you know it's Matt's birthday soon, and I'm sure he'd love to see a real police car…"
"Yeah!" Matt jumped up at the suggestion as Sam quickly moved his eyes to Oliver, hoping he would get the message.
"Well in that case…I mean if it's ok with you Sarah?" Oliver asked as Sam quickly refocused his gaze to his sister, hoping that she wouldn't think too much of it. She seemed a little hesitant; probably not very impressed with his somewhat hostile attitude towards Peter, but then she didn't know the truth yet.
"Um, yeah…if it's not too much trouble." She muttered as Sam swallowed the lump in his throat, he thought telling her that Zack had been arrested was bad but this…he really didn't know how to tell her this.
"Not at all," Andy answered as Sam kept his gaze on his sister. She looked a little confused at what had just occurred but whatever she was thinking she was keeping to herself.
"Cool car," He heard Andy again as soon as the door had closed behind Oliver and Matt.
"Yeah, well he was really brave last night, figured he deserved a reward," Peter explained as Sam found his eyes back on the man. Reward or bribe?
"Pretty expensive reward," He noted, moving his eyes from the car to Peter.
"Well like I said he was really brave…"
"Yeah…"
"Sam," Sarah warned him as he chanced a glance over to Andy who seemed to be telling him to tone it down as well, "Look where's Zack? Oliver said we could go."
"He's just going over his statement once more, since he's witness now," Andy informed them before he had a chance to speak.
"Ok, so how much longer will he be? We've still got to drive back tonight."
"Not much longer, you know what we'll just go and see if he's done," Andy told them as he finally removed his gaze from Peter and followed after her. He hadn't wanted to but his only other options were staring at the man or possibly hitting him and Andy had made it pretty clear that he needed to leave the room. Following after her he almost walked straight into her as she suddenly stopped dead just five meters away from the room.
"What was that?" She asked.
"What?"
"With Peter. You could have made your opinion of him a little less obvious. If he really did do this then…"
"You still don't think he did it? Did you see that car? The thing must have cost over a hundred…"
"And there's no chance he could just be doing something nice?" She asked as shrugged, yes there was that possibility but he was finding it hard to believe after speaking to his nephew.
"Andy…"
"Look I'm not saying anything either way. All I'm saying is that we should consider all the possibilities," She told him, keeping her eyes on his, "It's what I was taught." It was, but sometimes you just knew. Just like she had with the Zoe Martinelli case. Andy had been so sure and he had doubted her, but in the end she had been right. It had almost cost her her life and…this really wasn't the time to be thinking about that again.
Taking a deep breath Sam just nodded before speaking. He would try to keep an open mind but after what his nephew had told him he was finding it incredibly hard, "Ok, ok. Let's get Zack, you talk to him and then we'll go deal with Matt," Maybe after she had spoken to his nephew she would understand why he was so sure.
"Ok," She agreed as he made to move past her but she grabbed him arm, pulling him back, "What are you going to tell Sarah when she starts asking what's taking so long?"
"I'll tell her that some rookie screwed up the paperwork and it has to be redone," He shrugged, that really was a very small part of the problem right now.
"Thanks."
"McNally," He sighed, he hadn't meant her, and she wasn't even technically a rookie anymore. Although he still referred to her as one and she had been working the case so he could understand the sarcastic tone that had accompanied her last word.
"Let's just go and talk to Zack," She told him before he had a chance speak. Accepting that any attempts at explaining his previous words would be futile he just nodded his head before following after her, they could talk later.
As they walked along the corridor they spotted Jerry just outside of interview two, his phone pushed against his ear, looking rather annoyed. When he glanced up and saw them he just opened the door before carrying on with his call, "Yes and this is a murder investigation so...I don't care..."
Ignoring the rest of Jerry's call Sam followed Andy through the door to find Zack sat in the corner of the room, already looking up at them.
Sam was about to speak but Andy got there before him, "Hey Zack, remember me?" She asked as she grabbed a chair and pulled it towards Zack.
"Uh yeah," Zack muttered before glancing in his direction, probably wondering why he hadn't said anything. Sam just moved his eyes to Andy, making it clear to his nephew that he should give her his full attention before shutting the door to the room.
"So your uncle tells me that something happened last night, with your brother Matt…"
"You told her," Zack interrupted, glaring at him. That caught him by surprise, after his outburst at the mention of Peter's name did he really think she wouldn't know?
"Yeah, I did…you can trust her," He told him but Zack seemed rather sceptical, "Zack…look she's a good cop and I trust her so can you just answer her questions please?"
For a few seconds there was silence as Zack just watched him. Sam even caught sight of Andy staring at him from the corner of his eye before she turned her attention back to Zack.
"Honestly Zack I'm here to help," She tried as Sam watched Zack chew on his lip, clearly contemplating what to do, "So can you tell me what happened?"
For a moment Zack didn't answer but then he dropped his head and muttered one word, "Okay."
"Okay, just take your time," Andy told him as Zack looked back up to her.
"Well, uh, last night Matt was climbing up on the counters in the kitchen and uh…it… it was my fault…He was annoying me so I hid some of his toys on top of the cupboards. To start with he was just running around the house looking for them but then he wouldn't leave me alone so I told him where they were… but he can't reach them. Look I…I'm not completely sure what happened to start with because I was in the other room watching TV but I know Peter was in there, making coffee or something. I heard him telling Matt to get down and I heard mom yell at Matt to listen to Peter from upstairs but… I guess he didn't. Anyway I heard mom get in the shower and then there was more yelling from Peter, guess I shouldn't have hidden his favourite toy," Zack said, rubbing his eyes, "And the yelling was getting louder, guess mom couldn't hear it from the shower and so I went into the kitchen and saw Peter grab Matt's arm and yank him off the side. Matt just like flew off the side, smashed his head against the counter and then there was all this blood and Peter was standing over him and Matt was screaming…"
"And Peter definitely pulled him off the side? He wasn't trying to catch him when he slipped or…" Andy started but Zack cut her off, shaking his head as Sam continued to watch from the side of the room. So far this was the same story Zack had already told him.
"No, no he grabbed his arm and just pulled him off the counter."
"So what happened next?"
"I…I'm not sure, it all happened so fast. I pushed Peter out of the way, grabbed a towel for Matt's head and then I heard mom screaming and so I told her to call an ambulance and...it's all kind of a blur, but then the ambulance turned up. It took me, Matt and mom to the hospital and Peter drove his car but when we got there they made me sit in the waiting room while mom and Peter went with Matt…"
"And you didn't tell anyone what had happened…"
"No…I…I was trying to help Matt and everything was happening so fast and then at the hospital when I went to see Matt everyone was saying that he had fallen, even Matt was and…I don't know, I knew they wouldn't believe me and then mom said they were keeping Matt in so I didn't say anything. Me and Peter never really got on and I just…I didn't think anyone would believe me. So after Peter drove me home I grabbed some things and snuck out my window…"
"Did Peter say anything to you?"
"No…he…I don't think he knows that I saw him."
"And has Peter ever hurt you or Matt before?"
"No…no not me and I don't think he has but I don't know." Zack shrugged as Sam finally decided to ask a question he had forgotten to earlier.
"Zack have you and Matt been left alone since it happened?" He asked before Andy had a chance to speak.
"No," He shook his head as Sam moved his eyes to Andy's, that was good. If Matt gave the same story then that would certainly make a case. No way two boys who hadn't been left alone together could come up with the exact same story. Now they just needed to get Matt to tell the truth.
"Ok," Andy nodded at Zack as she stood up, "We're going to go and talk to your brother..."
"He won't tell you. Peter got to him, told him to tell everyone that he fell…"
"I know, but we've dealt with situations like this before so we'll see what we can do," Andy explained. Sam wasn't sure what Andy had made of Zack's story but hearing it again…there was no way his nephew was lying.
"Ok buddy, you ok here while…"
"What if Matt won't tell you…what…" Zack started before he cut him off.
"We'll work something out." He tried to reassure him. If they had to then they would cross that bridge when they came to it, but right now they needed to talk to Matt.
"But…" Zack started as the door opened and in walked Jerry.
"Sorry about that, idiotic lab geek decided to screw up," Jerry muttered as he retook his seat at the desk, chucking his phone onto the table.
"It's ok, so like any chance you could watch him for…" But Andy stopped speaking as Jerry raised his eyebrows at her.
"What happened to ten minutes?" Jerry asked, checking his watch before reaching for the cup on his desk.
"You did say if you could help," Andy reminded him but Sam couldn't recall it. He guessed it must have happened when he had been otherwise engaged with Zack earlier on in the day.
"Yeah," Jerry muttered, taking a sip of his coffee before grimacing and pulling the cup away, "Great it's cold."
"Jerry?" Sam asked. Although they had a bit of time Andy was right, at some point Sarah would start asking questions.
"Yeah ok," Jerry nodded before pushing himself off the seat, "Although I need another coffee first."
"You need anything?" Sam asked, quickly moving his eyes to Zack.
"Can I get my phone back?" Sam just looked to Jerry, he didn't have the time but if Jerry was getting up anyway…
"Yeah, why not?" Jerry muttered as he opened the door and left.
"Ok, we won't be long, just…"
"Behave, I know," Zack cut him off as Sam nodded before stepping out of the door.
As soon as the door clicked shut he felt Andy's hand on his arm again, apparently this was her new way of starting a conversation with him. Twisting his head round he just waited for her to speak.
"I know you want to keep this from people but shouldn't we have recorded his statement?"
"Not until we're sure," He told her. If there was any chance that his nephew was lying he didn't want it going on record, the fallout from that really wasn't worth thinking about.
"Ok," She agreed as she released his arm, "But for what it's worth, I don't think he's lying."
Sam just nodded, it was worth a lot, but right now he needed to move onto the next problem, getting Matt to tell the truth.
Once they were in the parking lot Sam easily spotted where Oliver and Matt were, the stationary car with its lights on.
"Yeah I still can't turn the siren on," Oliver explained, standing up straight and resting his arm on the door before noticing that he and Matt were no longer alone, "Hey. Really hard to say no to this one, you know that right?"
"Yeah I know," Sam nodded as he bent down to look into the car. Matt was perched on the edge of the seat wearing Oliver's cap, the oversized piece of clothing almost covering his eyes, but that didn't appear to faze him as he continued to pretend to drive the car.
"Hey Matt," He spoke softly causing Matt to turn towards him, a toothy grin plastered across his face.
"Hey Uncle Sam. Can you turn the siren on?"
"Afraid not buddy," He told him as he knelt down in the doorway so he was eye level with Matt, "Any chance you can stop driving for a sec and talk to me?"
Matt seemed to consider it for a second, chewing on his lip before nodding and pretending to park the car. When he had pulled the imaginary handbrake on he swivelled his body around in the seat, dropping his legs outside of the car.
"You having fun?"
"Yeah. When I'm older I wanna drive one of these."
"Really? Well we'll see about that," He smiled at him; he had a feeling Sarah would be against the idea, "So, I was just wondering what you did yesterday…"
"I fell."
"I know," He nodded; he wasn't even referring to that yet. His new plan involved getting Matt to explain the day to him, and slowly build him up to talking about the incident, "I wanted to talk about before that…"
"Why?"
"Well I was stuck at work most of yesterday…" He started, deciding not to explain what had happened after work with the poker game and Andy, "Guessing you had a much more interesting day…"
"Yeah," He nodded, "Mum and Peter took me to the park and we played soccer and climbed trees and we got hotdogs."
"That's sounds good," He offered his nephew a reassuring smile before asking his question, "Was Zack with you at the park?"
"No. He was out with his friends."
"Ok, so what happened when you got back from the park?"
"Um, I played on the PlayStation, and um, I broke one of Zack's games," Matt muttered the last part, looking down at his hands before looking back up, "But I was gonna pay for a new one, I just…I don't have enough money and I tried to tell him when he got back but he was really mad. Is he mad at me, is that why he ran away?"
"No, no buddy he's not mad at you," Sam told him, "Can you tell me what happened after that?" But Matt shook his head.
"Why not?" He asked but Matt just shook his head, "Matt you can tell me anything you know that right?" Matt took a moment before nodding his head, "So why can't you tell me what happened last night?"
"Don't want anyone to get in trouble," He mumbled, looking down at his hands.
"Who would get in trouble?" He asked, keeping a close eye on Matt. He just needed him to say Peter's name.
"Zack," Matt muttered, looking back up at him as Sam just stared at his nephew. He hadn't been expecting that, why would Zack be in trouble? He hadn't done anything had he? But before he had a chance to ask the question Matt spoke, "And he and mom were already fighting and I don't want them to fight anymore and he didn't mean to do it, but it was his fault."
"What was his fault? What did he do?" But to this Matt just shook his head, "Matt buddy it's me ok, you can tell me anything…"
"But Zack will be in trouble."
"No he won't."
"Promise?"
"Promise," He nodded. He didn't like lying to his nephew but he really needed to know the truth, "So can you tell me what happened now?"
Matt seemed to think it over for almost another minute as Sam waited patiently for him to speak, "Um, well Zack yelled at me. He said I wasn't allowed in his room and then mom told him not to yell at me and he was really mad so mom made me go downstairs. And then we had dinner, Zack wasn't there though, mom said he couldn't come down until he apologised to me."
Sam just nodded before waiting for Matt to speak again, but when it became apparent that he wasn't going to continue Sam tried to encourage him to finish his story, "So what happened after dinner?"
"I was trying to find Spot," Matt explained as Sam tried to remember the specific toy. He was pretty sure it was the Dalmatian Alex had brought Matt when he had first been born; Zack had loved the movie as a kid, had nagged his parents over and over again to get him a dog. In the end Alex had managed to end the discussion by getting him a cuddly toy and since Matt had just been born Alex had decided to buy one for him as well, "Zack hid him."
"So what did you do?" He asked, so far this was pretty much the same story that Zack had told him. The only part that Zack had failed to mention was the toy that Matt had been so desperate to get back. Although if Matt really had fallen then maybe this was why he thought Zack would get into trouble.
"I went looking for him. I was supposed to be in bed but I couldn't go to sleep without him, so I went downstairs and stood in front of the TV while Zack was trying to watch until he told me."
"He tell you where it was?" He asked as Matt just nodded.
"Said it was in the kitchen so then I went in the kitchen but I couldn't see it. Zack said it was on top of the cupboard so I climbed up on the side." Matt explained as Sam just listened to him. So far the events he had described were almost identical to the ones Zack had, but he still hadn't mentioned Peter. Sam couldn't believe Zack would have lied to him but surely Matt would have mentioned Peter by now.
Again it appeared Matt was finished so Sam tried to get him to continue, "So what happened when you were on the side?"
"I tried to get Spot but I still couldn't reach him, and then Peter came in and told me to get down…I tried to tell him but he just told me to get down so I…I tried to get Spot again," Matt explained as he fiddled with a loose thread on his jeans.
"What happened next Matt?" He asked but his nephew just shook his head.
"Can't say, he'll get in trouble."
"Who will?" He asked, he couldn't put words in his nephew's mouth; he needed him to say it himself.
"Zack."
"Why would Zack get in trouble?"
"Because he hid Spot and it's his fault."
"Why'd you think that?"
"Peter said he'd be in trouble if anyone found out." Matt explained, "And I don't want Zack to get in trouble, I don't want him and mom to fight again." Sam just nodded. It was becoming more and more apparent why Matt had been so insistent that he fell earlier. He wasn't trying to protect Peter, he was trying to protect his brother, but still Matt hadn't said the words he needed to hear.
He just needed Matt to explain that Peter had hurt him. As soon as Matt confirmed Zack's story he could arrest Peter, get someone to take his nephews statements and ensure that the man never came near them again. First, however, he needed Matt to finish explaining what had happened, "Ok, so…"
"Sarah." Hearing Oliver's voice Sam quickly snapped his head around to see her walking over to them.
"Is everything alright?" Andy asked as Sam stood up, trying to work out why the hell his sister was here. She was supposed to be waiting for him.
"Yeah," She looked puzzled at the three concerned faces watching her, "Zack said you wanted to see me."
"What?" Sam was sure he, Oliver and Andy uttered the same one worded question.
"Zack came in, said he was all done and that you needed to see me. That I would find you with Matt. I mean it took me a few minutes to find you but…is everything ok?"
"Where's Zack now?"
"With Peter, so what did…" But Sarah stopped as Sam pushed himself away from the car and set off on a run towards the soft interview room. Peter and Zack were alone, and Zack had orchestrated it, had made his mother leave them alone…what the hell was he playing at?
It took Sam at least a minute to get to the room, probably two, and who knows how long it had taken Sarah to find them, five, six…longer? Whatever it was the outcome was still the same; Zack had been left alone with Peter for far too long.
As soon as he was in range Sam grabbed the handle to the door before throwing it open, his body coming to a halt at the sight that greeted his eyes. Zack on the floor, fresh blood pouring from his nose and Peter stood a few feet away, his fist clenched.
Sam could hear his own heartbeat getting faster and faster as he felt his hands ball into fists, his jaw tighten and his eyes narrow before someone bashed against his shoulder, but he didn't bother to see who it was. Instead he took four long strides across the room and grabbed the collar of Peter's suit before pushing him over to the wall.
"This isn't…" Peter started as Sam heard Andy calling out his name, but he didn't care. As soon as he had Peter up against the wall he stared at him, trying to control his breathing. Again he heard Andy's voice and then Oliver's but he kept a tight grasp on Peter. He wanted nothing more than to hit him, to make him suffer like his nephews had but in the end all he did was spin him around before grabbing his arms and pinning them behind his back.
"Peter Hammond you are under arrest for assault. Anything you say can and will be used as evidence in a court of law. You have the right to retain counsel, if you do not have a lawyer we can provide you with one. Do you understand?" He asked, keeping Peter pinned tightly against the wall before feeling him struggle, "I said do you understand?"
"Yes I understand, but this isn't what it looks like…"
"Tell that to your lawyer," He spat as he went to reach for his cuffs before remembering he had taken off his belt. Chancing a quick glance to his left he found Andy holding up a pair of cuffs and indicating for him to move out of the way. After a few moments he just nodded before stepping aside and allowing Andy to cuff him.
Although he wanted to check on his nephew Sam found himself unable to remove his focus from Peter. It wasn't until Andy pushed Peter towards the door that he found himself able to move his eyes to his nephew. Zack was still sat on the floor, but Oliver was now crouched down next to him, holding a tissue to Zack's nose.
"Sarah," Hearing Peter's voice Sam immediately snapped his head back around to find her standing in the doorway with Matt, Peter and Andy only a few feet away from them. Sam had no idea how much she had seen or heard as he watched her eyes dart around the room before settling on Peter.
"Did you…did you hit Zack?" She asked as Sam suddenly saw Oliver by her side, taking Matt away.
"Sarah…this isn't…"
"Did you hit my son?" She asked again as Sam found himself torn between interrupting her and letting it play out.
"No…no Sarah I love you, this…this is just a big misunderstanding…"
"So you didn't hit him?" She asked again, but before Peter had a chance to speak Zack decided to.
"He pulled Matt off the side last night," Sam just watched as she reached a hand out to the doorframe to steady herself, taking another look around the room before turning back to Peter and shaking her head.
"You…" She started before Peter cut in.
"No…no. He fell. Ask him, ask…"
"That's not what you said a few minutes ago," Zack interrupted as Peter snapped his head around. It was the look in Peter's eyes that got Sam moving towards him, the look told him that he might want to take another shot at his nephew depending on how this all played out.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Well…you admitted it and I recorded it," Zack explained as Sam found himself stopping, midway between Peter and Zack. Turning back to face Zack he just watched as his nephew pushed himself off the floor and over to the table at the back of the room, the bloody tissue still grasped in his hand. He had recorded it? How had he done that? Why had he done that? Sam wanted to ask the questions, those and a hundred others but instead of speaking he just let his eyes follow his nephew as he walked over to the table. There wasn't much there, a plant, a box of tissues, a can, a coffee cup but then Zack pulled something out from behind the box of tissues and held it up.
"What…" Peter started as Sam found himself wanting to ask the same question.
"My phone, it records pretty well," Zack explained as Sam felt his mouth fall open a little, his nephew had recorded it, had recorded Peter hitting him, had recorded Peter admitting that he had hit Matt.
"You…"
"Move," It was Andy's voice that caused him to look back over to the door. He saw Peter struggling against her but she held him firmly, telling him to cool it.
"Sarah…" Peter started but she just shook her head at him.
"Let's go," Andy instructed Peter as she pushed him out of the door. As soon as they were out of sight he found his eyes back on his sister as she dropped her head for a few seconds before walking into the room.
Sam just watched as she moved over to Zack, gently reaching out to touch his face. His nose had stopped bleeding, but the bruises from earlier were still very visible, "Mom I'm sorry, I…"
"No. No Sweetheart you have nothing to be sorry about," Sam could hear the worry in Sarah's voice as she kissed Zack's head before pulling him into her arms.
"Mom…"
"No…just…" But she stopped as she pulled back slightly, looking at her son, "Why the hell didn't you tell me before?"
Zack just shrugged at his mother before speaking, "I…I didn't think you'd believe me."
"No. No. Don't you ever think that. Never," Sarah told him, brushing a hand under her eyes before hugging Zack again. Sam just watched their embrace before seeing Matt move over to them, tugging on his mother's hand. Immediately she removed one of her arms from Zack and wrapped it around Matt, pulling him against her side.
As much as he wanted to go over to them Sam stayed where he was, for the moment they just needed each other.
"Got the whole conversation on tape," Oliver said as Sam removed his eyes from his family and moved them to the phone Oliver was holding in front of him, the one paused on an image of Peter's fist connecting with Zack's face, " I mean I haven't heard it all yet, but we can get him for this at the very least."
"Yeah," He muttered, that wasn't exactly much consolation right now, Zack could have got himself seriously injured.
"Amazed he got the camera angle right, especially with a phone…" Oliver started before he was cut off by Sarah's voice.
"He spends half his time making skating videos with that thing."
"Told you they would be useful one day," Zack muttered as Sarah shook her head at him, wiping her eyes again, "Mom I'm sor…"
"No, no. You have nothing to be sorry for. I do, I…I can't believe I let…"
"Sarah," Sam cut her off. He knew what she was thinking, blaming herself for what had happened but it wasn't her fault. Quickly he moved over to his sister and placed a hand on her shoulder before looking over at Oliver, he needed a minute to talk to Sarah alone, "Ollie can you…"
"Yeah…hey Matt you wanna show Zack how to work the lights on a police car?"
"Okay," Matt nodded as he grabbed hold of his brother's arm and starting dragging him towards the door, but before they got very far Sam called Zack back, he needed to know.
"You ok?" He asked, looking over his nephew's face once more.
"Yeah."
"What the hell were you playing at?" He asked, wondering if his nephew had any idea of what could have happened to him.
"I told you I didn't think Matt would tell you so…I asked Jerry…"
"This was Jerry's idea?" He asked, gritting his jaw. What the hell was Jerry thinking of letting him do this and where was he?
"No…I just asked him about the evidence needed to arrest someone and…well he said that getting a confession was the easiest way..."
"So you decided to get one?" He asked as Zack just nodded. Sam didn't even know what to say to that. Part of him wanted to praise Zack but the other part wanted to yell at him, so many things could have gone wrong. If Sarah hadn't found them when she did who knows what Peter would have done to his nephew…
"Zack," Hearing Matt's voice Sam looked down to see him pulling on his brother's arm.
"Can…"
"Yeah go, go," Sam told them, he could talk to Zack later. Right now he knew Sarah needed him more, she had only just found out about Peter and it really hadn't been the way he had been planning to tell her.
After closing the door behind his nephews he quickly crossed the room, taking a seat next to his sister who had her head buried in her hands.
"Sarah…" He started but she cut him off.
"I…God I really am the worst mother in the world…"
"No. Sarah you had no idea what this guy was really like…"
"I should have. Jesus Sam how…this is all my fault. I let him near them. I let him hurt my kids…" She shook her head as Sam wrapped an arm around her and pulled her against him, "I swear he was always so good with Matt. I mean he and Zack didn't get on so much but he's a teenager and I just thought that he resented Peter, you know, that he was worried he was trying to replace Alex…but…"
"It was," He cut her off. Zack had told him and Andy earlier that Peter had never done anything like this before and had even admitted that he and Peter didn't get on, "Honestly Sarah that was it. This was the first time it happened, before that it really was just how you saw it…"
"But he hurt them. I let him in my house, I let him watch my kids, I let him hurt them."
"You didn't let him Sarah. He lost his temper and he hurt Matt, you didn't let him do that, you couldn't have known…"
"I should have, it's my job to protect them."
"It's my job too," He told her. He had failed them too, he was supposed to protect them, supposed to look after them but he really had failed them this time. Looking to his sister he could see the tears in her eyes, she needed some good news, "Sarah they're ok."
"Matt has stitches in his head and Zack looks like he's been used as a punching bag and you're telling me they're ok?"
"Yeah," He breathed, he knew she wouldn't believe it but after what Zack had done, he knew he was going to be ok. Yes they all needed to have a long talk about it at some point, especially with Matt. He had to understand that he shouldn't have kept it hidden, but right now they were all exhausted.
"Are they free to go?" Sarah asked as Sam watched her blink back the tears.
"Uh, someone might want to take their statements…" But he stopped himself, they had been through enough today and they had Zack's video, "I'm sure it can wait."
"So we can go home?"
"Yeah. Look Sarah why don't you stay at mine tonight?" He suggested, they lived over two hours away and he knew she had barely slept the night before.
"Sam you've already done more than enough today and I can't even begin to apologise for…"
"Sarah it's fine, and I'm not taking no for an answer," He told her. The more he thought about it, the more he realised that staying at his was the only sensible solution, especially if his nephews needed to give their statements.
"I don't want to be a burden."
"Sarah you're not a burden," He told her, squeezing her shoulder, "You're my sister which means you have to do as I say."
"Sam," She warned him, just like him she had never been one for doing as she was told.
"Look why don't I go and get them and then we can go back to mine?"
"Sam I…"
"Know it's the sensible thing to do," He finished for her as he pushed himself off the couch before turning to face her, she looked less than impressed, "Please Sarah. Just think about it ok?"
"Ok," She nodded, "I'll think about it."
After offering her a reassuring smile he left the room, almost walking straight into Jerry. He had tried to remain calm as he asked Jerry what the hell he was doing letting Zack see Peter and better yet giving him advice about getting a confession, but Jerry had just defended himself, telling him that Zack had asked to use the bathroom and that he was looking for him now before asking why he was so worked up about it. Of course it was at that point that his brain decided to remind him that Jerry had no idea what was going on or what Zack had accused Peter of.
So Sam found himself explaining everything that had occurred over the last few hours as fast as he could. It all sounded so surreal but Jerry just listened patiently to what he was saying. When he had finished it had taken Jerry a minute to remove the shocked look from his face before he started apologising, explaining how Zack had asked him questions about testimonies and confessions, but that he really hadn't thought much of it. Jerry had continued to explain that he would have never let Zack out of his sight for such a long time had he known the truth, stressing over and over again that he really had no idea what Zack had been planning.
After a few minutes Sam had cut him off, telling him that it was ok, that he couldn't have known, but it didn't stop Jerry apologising again or offering to interview Peter. Apparently he was waiting for some information and with Zack's tape Jerry was certain he could get a signed confession from Peter within the hour. Thanking him Sam had been about to leave when Frank had interrupted them, wanting a word about the incident that had just occurred with Peter. He wasn't sure what Frank wanted him to say, but as Frank started speaking it became apparent to him that he wasn't expected to speak at all. Instead he had just listened as Frank told him to take the next two days off to be with his family before promising him that Peter would be charged for what he had done.
Sam had just thanked Frank before Jerry started speaking again; telling him that he should go home and get some rest while he took a look at the video Zack had recorded before interviewing Peter. Agreeing with his recommendation Sam had asked Jerry if could hold off taking his nephews statements until tomorrow since they were exhausted. It took Jerry a moment to consider it but in the end he had agreed, apparently Zack's video would provide him with more than enough evidence to get Peter talking.
After thanking Jerry for his help Sam had made his way out to the parking lot to find his nephews inside one of the squad cars with Oliver, Matt sat on Zack's lap in the passenger's seat and Oliver in the driver's seat. Sam had just watched them for a moment, both of them listening intently to Oliver, before telling them that it was time to go and thanking Oliver for all of his help. Oliver being Oliver had just shrugged it off before telling him to go home and get some rest.
Nodding his agreement Sam had thanked him again before escorting his nephews back inside the station and over towards Sarah who was now standing outside of the soft interview room with Andy. Matt, clearly having missed his mother, set off running towards Sarah within seconds of seeing her and Sam couldn't stop the small smile creeping across his face as he watched his nephew run into his mother's arms before looking to Andy and catching her eye, causing her to mirror his current expression.
"She your girlfriend?" Zack asked.
Immediately Sam pulled his eyes away from Andy, looking to his nephew, "What?"
"The one with mum, you keep looking at each other…"
"Uh," He started, letting his eyes settle back on Andy. He really didn't have the strength to try and explain what he and Andy were right now and so settled on the simple answer, "No…just friends."
"Makes sense…I mean she is way out of your league."
"What?"
"Just saying, she's hot, you…not so much," Zack informed him as Sam felt his mouth fall open a little. As much as he wanted to come back with a quick quip about being irresistible to women, after the day he had just had, he really couldn't be bothered. Instead he just placed a hand on Zack's shoulder, guiding him towards Sarah and Andy.
"Hey," Sarah greeted them, "Officer McNally was just explaining that we can go home now."
"Yeah," Sam nodded, "Jerry's pretty sure he can get a full confession due to Zack's video. He still needs to take their statements but he said he can do it tomorrow."
"Ok. Well we should get back then. Think we could all use some sleep," Sarah nodded, placing a hand on Zack's shoulder.
"Sarah…" He started, knowing she didn't mean back to his place.
"Look it's only just gone six, we'll be home by nine…"
"Sarah," He cut her off, she was exhausted, he couldn't let her drive back there tonight.
"Honestly Sam you've already done more than enough today," She told him causing him to sigh as he tried to figure out a way to keep her here.
"Look I've finished my shift, can you give me five minutes to get changed? I'm at least taking you to get a coffee before I let you drive," And he had longer to talk her into staying.
"Ok, fine. We'll be out by the car," She told him as he nodded his acceptance before watching them head off towards the parking lot.
"You ok?" Andy asked as soon as they were out of sight.
"No idea," He shrugged, he really couldn't pinpoint what he was feeling right now let alone explain it to anyone else.
"They'll get him for this. Zack did well getting that video…"
"Yeah, taking a crazy idea and doing something that could have gotten him seriously injured. Now who does that remind me of," He muttered as he saw a small smile creep across Andy's face.
"He did what he thought was right, and…well it did work."
It had, but he still wasn't happy about what Zack had put himself through to get it. However, it was done now and so when his mouth opened he just muttered, "Yeah."
"McNally!" Hearing Jerry's call both he and Andy turned to find Jerry walking over to them, "I need to borrow you for ten minutes, need some information before I interview this guy."
"I can…" Sam started, if Jerry needed to know anything then he could tell him.
"No. No offence buddy, but you look like hell. So just go look after Sarah and the boys…"
"She's planning to go home," He muttered, not that he intended to let her.
"Well then go and get some sleep. Look if McNally can't help me out I'll call you. Ok?"
"Fine," He relented, shifting his weight between his feet. There wasn't much point in arguing, he knew he had to stay away from Peter. That no one would let him anywhere near him.
"Ok," Jerry nodded before looking between the two of them, "I'm gonna grab a coffee, I'll meet you there." He directed his statement towards Andy before walking off. For a moment Sam just watched Jerry walk away before turning his attention back to Andy.
"I uh, I should…" He started, pointing his thumb in the direction of the locker room.
"Oh, yeah, yeah." She nodded before biting down on her lip. Sam could tell she wanted to say something but he really couldn't work out what it was, "I guess I should…" She started indicating in the direction of Jerry.
"Yeah," He nodded as she stared at him for a moment before turning around. Sam just watched her but before she had taken two steps he found himself speaking again, "Andy."
"Yeah?" Immediately she twisted her body back around, a hopeful look washing over her face.
"Thank you," He kept his voice low but he could tell that she had heard him from the smile that appeared right before his eyes.
"Partners remember," She told him as he nodded, he remembered, "So I should go get on with this. I'll um…I'll see you…"
"Yeah," He nodded, he would see her tomorrow. Right now though he just needed to stop Sarah from going home. Sam waited until Andy started walking away before turning on his heels and heading to the locker room. He got changed in record speed, chucking on his jeans and a black t-shirt before grabbing his leather jacket and bag and heading out into the parking lot.
He found them pretty easily, Sarah talking to Zack outside the car and Matt playing with one of his toys inside. It took him a few minutes, but eventually he convinced his sister that it would be better if they stayed at his tonight. They were going to have to come back tomorrow to give their statements so there was no point in driving to St Catherine's and back. Sarah had tried several excuses, that he didn't have enough beds, that they would be in the way, that they didn't have any clothes here, but he kept telling her that it didn't matter. That she was exhausted and they should come back to his, have something to eat and then get some sleep. Since Frank had given him the next two days off he could go back to St Catherine's with them tomorrow and help them out with anything they needed.
So after a ten minute discussion and a fifteen minute drive they ended up back at his place. As soon as they made it inside Matt and Zack had perched themselves in front of TV as he and Sarah made up the spare room. Again Sam had tried to reassure her that it wasn't her fault, that she really couldn't have known but she refused to believe him. In the end she had told him that they would deal with it tomorrow, for now they all just needed a good night's sleep. Sam could see how tired she was, but she kept telling him that she was fine as they took their seats in the lounge with the boys.
After whatever program they had been watching ended Matt had made it clear how hungry he was and so Sam had made a Pizza order, but after having to wake Sarah up he had told her to go and sleep in his bed while he looked after his nephews for the rest of the night. She had tried to protest, telling him that she couldn't take his bed, that she was fine, but after yawning halfway through her speech she had given up trying to convince him otherwise. After she had finally agreed Sam had disappeared into the kitchen to get some drinks, giving her some time alone to speak to her sons, before heading back into the lounge, one glass in each hand.
"I'm hungry," Matt muttered as Sam handed him a glass of juice.
"Shouldn't be much longer," He told him, taking a quick look at his watch, 7:56.
"Ok, how about the Matrix?" Zack asked as Sam took a seat on the couch next to Matt.
"He's seven."
"Almost eight," Matt protested, glaring at him.
"Still too young for that film buddy," Sam smiled at him as he placed Zack's drink down on the coffee table.
"Am not," He sulked as Zack chucked the film back on the pile.
"Fine, Matt what do you want to watch?" Zack asked as he continued searching through the stack of DVDs.
"Cars."
"Not again," Zack moaned as Sam just watched the two of them.
"But…"
"Please Matty, just like anything else…"
"Cars 2?" Matt asked, hopping up onto the couch as Sam quickly grabbed hold of the glass of juice he was threatening to spill.
"No."
"But you said…"
"Well Uncle Sam doesn't have it so we can't watch it," Zack told him, looking very relieved before moving over to Matt and handing him three DVDs, "Any of these."
"They uh…" Sam started, looking at the selection of films.
"They're all suitable don't worry," Zack cut him off as one of the films was shoved in front of his face.
"Look Uncle Sam, they're all super heroes," Matt told him as Sam looked down at the Incredibles before hearing the doorbell, "And this one had a talking dog…"
"I'll get it," Zack told him before he had a chance to speak.
"Um, money's on the side," Sam called out as another film was shoved before his eyes.
"Oh this one has sharks!"
"Ok buddy, which one do you want to watch?"
"Um," Matt hummed looking over the films he had spread out over Sam's lap, "This one…or…this one. Can we watch both?"
"Just one tonight," He told him as Matt jumped down onto his knees before inspecting his choices again. Sam had no idea how Matt still had so much energy and just hoped it would wear off soon because he really was exhausted.
"Ok, this one," Matt said as he held up the Incredibles.
"Ok," He nodded.
"Hey Uncle Sam," He heard Zack's yell causing him to look to the door, he was sure Zack had enough money for the Pizza, "Your not girlfriend is here," Not girlfriend? What was Zack talking about? Quickly Sam pushed himself off the couch before heading over to his nephew.
"What?" He asked as soon as he caught sight of Zack leaning against the door before looking outside to find Andy. It was at this point that his brain decided to remind him of his original plans for tonight…their date.