AN: This chapter is full of what they call "WTF." ;)

Please keep reading on to Chapter 26 ... this "plot twist" is not what it seems. (Trust me.)

Connie Rubirosa was pale when Mike Cutter walked into her office and asked her what was wrong. "I have to see Jack," she said, pushing past him.

"What happened? You don't look so good."

She stopped at the door. "I just spoke to Detective Lupo from the two-seven," she said, her voice hushed but clear.

"Your hands are shaking."

"He told me that Lieutenant Eames was killed on her front steps this morning."

"And Lupo thought you should be the one to break the news to Jack that his NYPD sweetheart is dead?"

"Mike, stop." She started down the hall, and he followed her. "Lupo said he doesn't know a lot yet. I'm sure Major Case will call if they have the suspect in custody. They probably … they'll want some time in interrogation first."

Cutter and Rubirosa paused in front of McCoy's office, and Cutter pursed his lips and shook his head. "Our office should have stopped Major Case from carrying out its operation with Eames."

"The operation they were supposed to carry out tomorrow? It was no use. Lieutenant Eames didn't stand a chance." She opened the door to McCoy's office. "I'll take care of this, Mike, it's okay."

He touched her arm lightly. "I'll keep my ears open for Major Case. We'll get the lieutenant whatever justice we can get her."

She smiled sadly at her colleague, and then breezed past McCoy's secretary, into his office. He was sitting behind his desk.

"Connie. What's up?" He must have recognized the look on her face, because his next question was an alarmed, "what happened?"

"One of the two-seven detectives called a few minutes ago." She could have sworn she saw his heart drop down to his feet. "Lieutenant Eames was shot on her front steps this morning. Someone who was most likely Mala Marsden lured her out of her apartment with a firebomb, after she'd shot the officers on detail. Jack, I'm sorry."

He was silent, shocked, frozen to his chair. "She was supposed to – oh, Connie – Major Case was supposed to put her out there tomorrow."

All she could think to do was pull up a chair and sit next to her boss. "I know," she said. "I know."

A faint "mmph" emerged from McCoy's throat, and when she shook his head and told her to leave him alone so that he could call Captain Brooks, he accidentally cried.

Rubirosa had no idea what to do or say. "Connie, just go," he said, somewhat more firmly.