**Hmmm, somehow I lost track of what day it was and posted on FF on a Friday instead of a Monday. Oh well, back to the normally scheduled program. FF on Mondays, AO3 on Fridays.**

PART 3

He rubs his shoulder, Owww, that really hurt! What has gotten into her? Usually she lets me get a word in edgewise before beating me up but… He shrugs. Women! Who can fathom their minds? Not me, certainly. She's probably rushed off for First Aid at La Kaz. I'll check on her a little later. Right now, I have things to do. Right now…

He settles back, enjoying the novel sensation of listening to verbal abuse that actually amuses him now. Oh, revenge is SO sweet! I'll have to have a stern talk with myself later. Much later. After all, I shouldn't be enjoying this as much as I am. His eyes slip shut. Music to my ears!

His reverie is interrupted several minutes later by the clatter of Dwayne and Fidel racing up the stairs with wild looks. Richard leaps to his feet, alarmed, "What is it?"

The men gather around him, jostling and checking him over. Dwayne finally gives a relieved smile, "Oh, Chief! Camille went past us in the street like a whirlwind and told us to get up here because you are goin' to DIE!"

Richard instinctively clutches his tie, "Die? Me?! How?" Fidel coughs and Dwayne is suddenly silent. "Well? How am I going to die?"

"Um, she said she is goin' to kill you herself if the crazy man in the cells doesn't do it first. What in the world is goin' on?" Both men pause as they suddenly notice Anderson's voice still bellowing in the background. Their eyes go wide.

"Oh, um, well… it's complicated… and I don't think Camille fully understands the…"

Richard's explanation is also interrupted… by the phone. Fidel rushes in to pick up then comes back out with an extremely odd look on his face. Both Richard and Dwayne turn to look at him with renewed alarm.

"What?" Richard blurts. Things seem to be getting out of control and gaining steam. "What is it NOW?"

"That was Catherine. She says the love of your life, the crazy man's wife, AND Camille are both waiting for you down at La Kaz. The crazy man's wife wants you to join her so you two can begin planning your new life together... and…"

Richard swings around to face Fidel as his eyebrows fly up in shock, "... and WHAT?" Fidel hesitates then finishes, "… and Camille just wants to 'talk' to you." The air quotation marks Fidel makes when he says the word 'talk' tells Richard all he needs to know about Catherine's tone of voice during the call.

Now it is Dwayne's turn to swing around and goggle at his boss, "WHAT?" Fidel steps to Dwayne's side and now they both goggle at him.

Richard discovers that he doesn't LIKE being goggled at. "Stop that!" he barks. They don't. He begins to stutter some sort of explanation but he is interrupted YET AGAIN by Dwayne's slap on the back.

"Ah, man, Chief! I didn't know you had it in you!" he laughs. "THIS will put the shark amongst the guppies for sure! Oh, I can just imagine Camille's face! Did she know about this woman before today?"

"I only met the woman today," Richard stammers. This seems to please Dwayne all the more as he leans over and roars with laughter. Richard swells up in bossly indignation, "Dwayne, I don't think you grasp the importance of…"

Dwayne wipes his eyes, "Oh, I grasp, all right, I grasp it just fine! Are you goin' to go down there and face your fancy new woman while Camille scoops out your innards with her eyes? And Catherine backin' her up with sharp metal objects? Huh? Are you? Can I come watch?"

"NO! I mean, yes… I mean…" Richard can't concentrate what with this sudden madness of Camille's, June's unexpected presence at La Kaz, and Dougie's continual bellowing so he does the only thing he can. He turns to Fidel and tells him to begin the paperwork for Dougie's arrest. He turns to Dwayne and tells him to start a background check on Dougie and his wife.

Dwayne seems to find this very amusing, "Sure thing, Chief. Now that you have her on the hook, you want to find out all about her. Is she rich, do you think?"

"NO! And I mean NO! It was a ruse and a bit of a joke but it's all gotten out of hand. Look, you two take care of the prisoner. I'll go down to get Camille and we'll be back in a few minutes to prepare our statements. Attacking two police officers ought to get him some decent jail time, I should hope?"

"Right, right," Dwayne nods, "Get the husband out of the way and then the wife can play. I get it."

Richard fixes him with a gimlet eye, "You want to know something, Officer Myers? You have a very nasty turn of mind. We should discuss this further at your next quarterly review."

Dwayne sobers instantly, "Right, Chief. Sorry, Chief. You go. We'll handle the husband." Together he and Fidel watch the Chief descend the steps and head into town then Dwayne elbows Fidel in the ribs, "Kinda like HE'S gonna handle the wife, hey?"

Fidel gives him a long-suffering look, "The Chief has a point, Dwayne. You shouldn't jump to conclusions until you have all the facts. Hasn't he taught you anything?" He turns and goes into the station.

Dwayne's grin fades into impatience, "Oh, you! You're no fun. This is the most excitement we've had around here in weeks! Let me enjoy it!" As he follows Fidel into the building, he pauses and turns to look downhill, muttering, "Ah, man, I wish I could watch."

END – part 3